Biochemical Oxygen Demand

(BOD)
ERIKA MAE B. SUCUANO
SEED CORRECTION

The BOD test relies on the presence of

healthy organisms. If the samples tested
contain materials which could kill or injure
the microorganisms (such as chlorine, high
or low pH, toxic materials), the condition
must be corrected and healthy active
organism added. The process is known as
seeding.
WHEN SEED IS ADDED
Calculation of BOD includes a correction factor for seed as expressed
by equation:

𝐈𝐃𝐎 − 𝐅𝐃𝐎 − (𝐂𝐚𝐯𝐠 × 𝐒𝐕)

𝐁𝐎𝐃 =
𝐕𝐒/𝐕𝐁
Where:
IDO = initial D.O . of diluted sample, mg/L
FDO = final D.O . of diluted sample, mg/L
VS = volume of sample, ml
VB = volume of bottle, ml
Cavg = correction factor for oxygen depletion resulting
from presence of seed.
SV = volume of seed added to sample in ml
BOD = Biochemical Oxygen Demand, mg/L
The correction factor for a bottle of seed is derived using
equation:

𝐈𝐒𝐃𝐎 − 𝐅𝐒𝐃𝐎
𝐂=
𝐕𝐍

Where:
C = correction factor for oxygen depletion resulting
from presence of seed
ISDO = initial D.O. for seed control test N
FSDO =final D.O. for seed control test N
VN = volume of seed used in control test N
The Seed Correction (mg/L) per ml of seed added is then
calculated:

σ𝐂
𝐂𝐚𝐯𝐠 =
𝐍𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬

Seed correction (mg/L) per ml of seed added is the average of all

non-marked correction factors for the Seed Sample.

The final BOD is then calculated using equation:

σ 𝐁𝐎𝐃𝐬
𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐎𝐃 =
𝐍𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬
 DETERMINATION OF SAMPLE BOD
It should be noted that there are two criteria
specified in “Standard Methods” which would be
checked before the seed correction is used to
determine the sample BOD. These criteria are as
follows:

1. The sample dilutions should deplete at least 2.0

mg/L DO after five days incubation at 20℃.
2. The sample dilutions should have a final DO of
at least 1.0 mg/L after five days incubation at
20℃.
EXAMPLE: SEEDED BOD
Calculate the Effluent BOD which is seeded with the
sample named “Seed”. 300 ml bottles are used.
Seed correction per ml using equation 3:

ISDO − FSDO
C=
VN

Bottle # 110
8.9 −5.8 3.1
C= = = 0.31
10 10
Bottle #111
8.94 −5.7 3.24
C= = = 0.27
12 12
The seed corrections (mg/L) per ml of Seed
added:
σC
Cavg =
Number of Seed bottles

0.31+0.27
=
2
= 0.29
The BOD for Effluent:

Bottle #210

IDO−FDO − Cavg×SV
BOD =
VS/VB

8.7−5.3 − 3×0.29
=
200/300

3.4−0.87
=
0.667

2.53
=
0.667

=3.8 mg/L
The BOD for Effluent:

Bottle #211

IDO−FDO − Cavg×SV
BOD =
VS/VB

8.7−5.1 − 3×0.29
=
225/300

3.6−0.87
=
0.75

2.73
=
0.75

=3.64 mg/L
Final BOD for the Effluent:

σ BODs
Final BOD =
Number of Bottles

3.8+3.64
=
2

7.44
=
2
= 3.72 mg/L or 4 mg/L