TITTLE

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

OBJECTIVES

To measure the amount of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in the water sample for a specified
period of time.

METHOD

Determine the wastewater sample source.

Firstly, the sample of wastewater was taken from the outside the UiTM which was in Tasik
Seksyen 7 (in front UNISEL) using 2mL mineral water.

Addition on nitric acid

1. 100 mL of nitric acid was diluted with distilled water until the neck of volumetric flask.
2. Then, 2 drop of diluted nitric acid was dropped into water sample.

Respirometric method

1. The sample was cool in incubation temperature which is 20±2°C.

2. The BOD range had been selected using the table 1. For unknown sample, used 0-700mg/L.
BOD range (mg/L) Required volume (ml)
0-35 420
0-70 355
0-350 160
0-700 95

3. The sample was poured into a BOD Trak sample bottle.

4. The magnetic stir bar was place in each of the sample bottle at about 1.5 inch.
5. Then, the content of the BOD nutrient buffer pillow was added to each bottle for optimum
bacteria growth.
6. The stopcock greases were applied to the seal lip and the top of each seal.
7. The seal cup was placed to the seal lip of each bottle. (this step is connecting the bottle to the
instrument’s pressure sensor via connecting the caps and tubing seal cup)
8. The content of one lithium hydroxide powder pillow to each seal was added by using the
funnel.
9. Then, the bottles were placed on the base of the BOD Trak apparatus. The tube and sample
bottles were connected and tighten.
10. The instrument was placed into the incubator. Then, the electrical plug was connected and turn
on.
11. The test duration had been selected by press and hold the left keys simultaneously until the
menu bar appeared. Then, pressed the channel 6 to activate the test length parameter. The
narrow keys were used to choose 5-, 7-, and 10- day test. Next, pressed the button off to save
the selection and exit the menu.
12. Pressed the channel number to start the test that is corresponds to the sample bottle. The
channel must be started individually.
13. Then, pressed the ON button key. The BOD range will be displayed on the menu. For the
sample range 0-350mg/L, pressed the right arrow (>). For the sample range 0-700mg/L,
pressed the right arrow (>) a second time. For the sample range 0-35mg/L, pressed the left
arrow (<). For the sample range 0-70mg/L, pressed the left arrow (<) a second time.
14. Then, pressed and hold the ON key to start the test and then the graph appeared. To cancel the
test pressed the OFF key.
15. The BOD result from the displayed was read by pressing the key that corresponds to each
sample channel.
16. The brush and hot, soapy water were used to clean all the bottles, stir bars and seal cups. Then,
rinsed with distilled water.
RESULTS
BOD Bottle Samples BOD Sample -Blank Class
Concentration
(mg/L)
(mg/L)
1 Blank 11.2
2 Seeds 57.6
3 Standard 201.0
4 Sample 1 24.2 13.0 5
5 Sample 2 24.6 13.4 5
6 Sample 3 20.4 9.2 4
Average Sample Reading (mg/L) 23.1 11.9

Blank Seeds Standard

Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3

CALCULATION
BOD5 mg/L = sample – blank
Sample 1 (mg/L)
24.2 – 11.2 = 13.0
Sample 2 (mg/L)
24.6 – 11.2 = 13.4
Sample 3 (mg/L)
20.4 – 11.2 = 9.2
Average (mg/L)
13.0 + 13.4 + 9.2
= 11.9
3

DISCUSSION

The BOD test is an important parameter that function in the stream to control the pollution
(Encyclopedia of Public Health, 2002). Based on Sawyer and McCarty (1978), BOD was a
bioassay procedure to measure the oxygen consumed by bacteria from the decomposition of
organic matter. BOD5 test was depends on DO (Dissolved Oxygen) concentration and requires an
accurate DO determination.

From this experiment, 5-day BOD method (BOD5) was used. The sample was placed in
refrigerator for 5 days. Delzer and McKenzie (2003) stated that samples can degrade significantly
during extended storage. To minimize sample degradation, and thus avoid negative bias in the
measurement of BOD5, analyze samples promptly or store chilled without freezing, maintain a
temperature from 1 to 4°C.

In this experiment,. Based on the results, it shows that the result of BOD concentration of 3 sample
is 13.0, 13.4 and 9.2 mg/L respectively. This shown that every sample are categorize in class.
Sample 1 and sample 2 is in class 5, while sample 3 is in class 4. From that results, sample 2 had
a higher BOD content. A higher BOD indicates a high content of easily degradable organic
material in the sample. Palana (2009) conclude that higher BOD levels will result in anoxic
conditions, with the resulting growth of anaerobic microorganisms that produce noxious gases and
cause the death of aerobic aquatic organisms. While sample 3 had a lower BOD content. So, a low
BOD indicates a low volume of organic materials substances which are difficult to break down.

The lowest BOD showed on blank’s graph because there are no any microorganism in the solution
while the seed’s graph showed the highest BOD value because there are high amount of
microorganism and also organic matter. This showed that the good BOD curve. The result showed
by the graph of standard, there was may be not sufficient of bacteria or acclimation.

When testing for BOD, the concerns for safety involve wastewater hazards and exposure to
chemicals. There are few precautions to follow like cover all abrasions and wear good quality latex
gloves when in direct contact with raw wastewater, clean up all spills of wastewater or buffers
immediately and always pour acids or bases into water, never add water to the acid or base. Mixing
concentrated acids or bases with water can create a significant amount of heat.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the higher the BOD level showed that the lower the DO levels. Next, the dissolve
oxygen and biochemical oxygen demand of a wastewater sample were determined.

REFERENCES
Encyclopedia of Public Health. (2002). Google Chrome. (Encyclopedia.com) Retrieved October
30, 2018, from Biological Oxygen Demand : https://www.encyclopedia.com/science-and-
technology/biology-and-genetics/environmental-studies/biological-oxygen-demand
Delzer, G., C., and McKenzie, S., W., (2003). Five-Day Biochemical Demand (3rd ed.). Retrieved
from https://water.usgs.gov/owq/FieldManual/Chapter7/NFMChap7_2_BOD.pdf

Palana, O., G. (2009). Engeneering Chemistry. New Delhi : McGraw-Hill Book Co.

Sawyer, C. N., & McCarty, P. L. (1978). Chemistry for Environmental Engineering (3rd ed.). New
York: McGraw-Hill Book Co.