Calculation of Range of Dilutions for

Acceptable BOD Results

Prepared By
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Operator Training and Certification Unit
 BOD PROCEDURE

DILUTE SAMPLE

Minimum Residual, 1.0 mg/L

Minimum Depletion, 2.0 mg/L
At Least Two Dilutions
 Calculation of Range of Acceptable BOD Results
Depletion
BOD Sample =
Sample Volume X 300 mL

Lowest (Minimum) Acceptable Results – Lowest Acceptable Depletion

Minimum Depletion
Minimum BOD = Sample Volume X 300 mL

Minimum BOD =
2.0
Sample Volume X 300

Minimum BOD = 600

Sample Volume
 600
Minimum BOD That May Be Reported = Sample Volume

Example

What is the Lowest Acceptable BOD results if 20 mL of sample is used?

Minimum BOD = 600

Sample Volume

Minimum BOD = 600

20

Minimum Acceptable BOD = 30 mg/L

 Example 2

What is the Lowest Acceptable BOD results if 150 mL of sample is used?

Minimum BOD = 600

Sample Volume

Minimum BOD = 600

150

Minimum Acceptable BOD = 4 mg/L

 Calculation of Range of Acceptable BOD Results

Highest (Maximum) Acceptable Results – Highest Acceptable Depletion

Lowest Acceptable Residual

D.O. In – 1.0
Maximum BOD = Sample Volume X 300 mL

ASSUMING Initial D.O. of 8.0 mg/L

Depletion = 8.0 - 1.0 = 7.0

Maximum BOD =
7.0
Sample Volume X 300

Maximum BOD = 2100

Sample Volume
 2100
Maximum BOD That May Be Reported = Sample Volume

Example

What is the highest Acceptable BOD results if 20 mL of sample is used?

Maximum BOD = 2100

Sample Volume

Maximum BOD = 2100

20

Maximum Acceptable BOD = 105 mg/L

 2100
Maximum BOD That May Be Reported = Sample Volume

Example 2

What is the highest Acceptable BOD results if 150 mL of sample is used?

Maximum BOD = 2100

Sample Volume

Maximum BOD = 2100

150

Maximum Acceptable BOD = 14 mg/L

 Calculation of Range of Acceptable BOD Results

Summary

Lowest (Minimum) Acceptable Results – Lowest Acceptable Depletion

Minimum BOD = 600

Sample Volume

Highest (Maximum) Acceptable Results – Highest Acceptable Depletion

Lowest Acceptable Residual

(Assuming D.O. In =8.0 mg/L

Maximum BOD = 2100

Sample Volume
Calculation of Range of Acceptable BOD Results

Wait A Minute
Minimum BOD = 600
Sample Volume

Maximum BOD = 2100

Sample Volume

600 X 3.5 = 2100

So (assuming D.O. In is 8.0)

Minimum BOD x 3.5 = Maximum BOD

 Calculation of Range of Acceptable BOD Results

Summary (again)

Lowest (Minimum) Acceptable Results – Lowest Acceptable Depletion

Minimum BOD = 600

Sample Volume

Highest (Maximum) Acceptable Results – Highest Acceptable Depletion

Lowest Acceptable Residual
(Assuming D.O. In =8.0 mg/L

Maximum BOD = 3.5 X Minimum BOD

 Example

What is the Lowest Acceptable BOD results if 30 mL of sample is used?

Minimum BOD = 600

30 = 20 mg/L

What is the Highest Acceptable BOD results if 30 mL of sample is used?

20 mg/L X 3.5 = 70 mg/L

Total Range when using a 30 mL sample:

20 to 70 mg/L
Total Range when using a 100 mL sample = 6 to 21 mg/L

Total Range when using a 150 mL sample = 4 to 14 mg/L

Total Range when using 100 mL and 150 mL (two Bottles)

= 4 to 21 mg/L
OVERLAP From 6 to 14 mg/L

Total Range when using a 50 mL sample = 12 to 42 mg/L

Total Range when using 50 mL and 150 mL (two Bottles)

= 4 to 42 mg/L

OVERLAP From 12 to 14 mg/L

Total Range when using a 25 mL sample = 24 to 84 mg/L

Total Range when using a 125 mL sample = 4.8 to 16.8 mg/L

Total Range when using 25 mL and 125 mL (two Bottles)

= 4.8 to 84 mg/L

?
NO: Does Not Include 16.8 to 24 mg/L

Range To Wide (No Overlap)

Calculate Range of Acceptable BOD Results

Use Two Volumes that Expand the Range

But
Give a “Comfortable” Overlap
Calculate Range of Acceptable BOD Results

Use Two Volumes that Expand the Range

But
Give a “Comfortable” Overlap
Calculate Range of Acceptable BOD Results

Use Two Volumes that Expand the Range

But
Give a “Comfortable” Overlap
Calculation of Range of Dilutions for
Acceptable BOD Results

Prepared By
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Operator Training and Certification Unit