Application Note Biochemical Oxygen Demand

Click on an image to enlarge.

Environmental Express PET disposable BOD bottles

Environmental Express PET disposable BOD bottles

BOD+acrylic+bottle+stoppers.JPG

Acrylic stopper for use on Environmental Express disposable BOD bottle

A method for determining pollution levels in domestic and industrial wastewaters.

The following materials in water create an oxygen demand; Organic materials which can be degraded by micro organisms, Oxidizable Nitrogen from nitrates and ammonia, chemically oxidizable materials - COD.

Biochemical Oxygen demand measures the use of dissolved Oxygen by bacteria over time, usually 5 days. The dissolved Oxygen level is measured at the start of the analysis and at the end of the process. The difference is the Biochemical Oxygen demand. The water can be seeded to ensure sufficient microorganisms are present to ensure any degradable organic material present can be degraded. The greater the Biological Oxygen demand the greater the levels of pollution in the water.

The method has traditionally been performed using glass bottles with stoppers in a dark incubator at 20°C. At the end of the analysis bottles are washed and reused. Environmental Express has produced single use disposable PET bottles, which are designed to prevent any oxygen diffusion out of the bottle and ensure accurate results.

Modern systems have automated the analysis using probes to periodically measure the dissolved Oxygen. Also commonly used are individual bottle top probes, which sit on top of the bottle throughout the procedure. The Environmental Express BOD bottles are not suitable for all automated systems. Let us know which system you use and we can determine whether the Environmental Express BOD Bottle is suitable for your laboratory. Sample bottles are available on request.

A comparison review document is available online from Environmental Express, go to www.envexp.com/pdf/bodstudy.pdf


For more information about disposable BOD bottles – click here.


C Gerhardt UK. Lab Supplies.

C. Gerhardt UK Ltd
Unit 5 Avonbury Court
County Road
Brackley
Northants.
NN13 7AX

T: 01280 706772

F: 01280 706088

E: info@gerhardtonline.co.uk

  1. Frequently Asked Questions
  2. Contact us
  3. Gerhardt Worldwide
  4. FRITSCH Worldwide
  5. What is Kjeldahl?
  6. How can a laser tell me the size of a particle?
  7. LPD Lab Services Ltd
  8. BS EN ISO 9001:2008