NEMI Method Summary


Method Summary Information

Method Number:

405.1

Media:

WATER

Revision:

Issued 1971; Editroial Revision 1974

Method Source:

U.S. EPA National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL) [formerly EMSL]

Analytes in this method

Subcategory:

ORGANIC

Official Name:

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (5 days, 20^oC)

Descriptive Name

Biochemical Oxygen Demand

Source Info:

U.S.EPA National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL)
Microbiological and Chemical Exposure Assessment Research Division (MCEARD)
[formerly the Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory (EMSL), Cincinnati, OH]
26 West Martin Luther King Drive
Cincinnati, Ohio 45268-0001
Fax: 513-569-7757
email: DWmethods.help@epa.gov

Citation:

Methods for the Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes (MCAWW) (EPA/600/4-79/020)

10738

Byte file

Brief Method
Summary:

The BOD test is an empirical bioassay-type test which measures the dissolved oxygen consumed by microbial life while assimilating and oxidizing organic matter in a sample. A waste sample (or dilution) is incubated for five days 20^oC in the dark. Dissolved oxygen is measured before and after incubation using a modified Winkler or oxygen probe method (e.g., EPA Method 360.2 and 360.1). The reduction in dissolved oxygen during the incubation period yields a measure of BOD.

Scope And
Application:

This test for BOD is used to determine the relative oxygen requirements of municipal and industrial wastewaters.

Applicable
Conc Range:

See EPA Methods 360.1 and 360.2 for general information on the range of dissolved oxygen methods.

Interferences:

None Provided.

QC Requirements:

None.

Sample Handling:

Use of 60 mL incubation bottles with oxygen probe methods is often convenient.

Max Holding Time:

48 hours (MCAWW, Table 1).

Sample Prep Met

None.

Relative Cost:

Less than $50

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Method Summary Information