INTRODUCTION

Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) is usually defined as the amount of dissolved oxygen (DO)
required by bacteria while stabilizing decomposable organic matter under aerobic conditions. It
is widely used to determine the pollutant strength of domestic and industrial wastes in terms of
dissolved oxygen (DO) that they require into natural water aerobics conditions. The term
decomposable may be interpreted as meaning that the organic matter can serve as food for
bacteria, and energy is derived from its oxidation. The changes or deflection of DO is the
measure of the degree of contamination of nature water. High BOD is an indication of poor water
quality. The standard oxidation test period for BOD is 5 days at 20C or stated as BOD 5 and can
be referred by using the Standard Methods for the Examination for Water and Wastewater. The
test can be done either manually by using standard laboratory BOD bottle or automatically by
BOD self-test.

OBJECTIVE
To measure the dissolved oxygen (DO) in the waste water at specified period of time and
temperature.

THEORY
APPARATUS AND MATERIAL
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Beakers
Bottles
Waste water
Distilled water
pH water

PROCEDURE
1. Water sample was collected from UTHM Lake.

2. The pH value was measured:

I.
II.
III.

If the pH is in the range of 6.5 to 7.5 proceed to Step 3.

If the pH of water sample is less than 6.5, then use base to improve the pH to 7.
If the pH of the water sample is bigger than 7.5, then use acid to improve the pH to pH 7.

3. By using the details as below, the sample size was determine using equation A and equation B.
a)
b)
c)
d)

Based on the literature , the BOD of A = 400 mg/L

Assume the DO of saturated dilution water = 8 mg/L
The DO depletion at the end of 5 days incubation = 2 mg/L
The residual DO = 1 mg/L

Equation A = minimum waste to be filled in BOD bottle

Equation B = maximum waste to be filled in BOD bottle
4. 5 BOD bottle was taken, 3 bottles used for sample and 2 bottles for blank.
5. The calculated amount of sample was pipette into the bottles and fill with the distilled until
full.
6. The bottle was knocked to eliminate the air bubbles from the BOD bottles.
7. The DO value from each samples and blanks was measured using DO meter. The value was
recorded as initial DO.
8. The dilution water was slowly refilled (if needed) to the BOD bottles and put the lid.
9. Step 6 to 8 was repeated for another BOD bottles.
10. The BOD bottles were stored in the BOD incubator for 3 days at 30C.
11. The BOD bottles were taken out on the 3 days of incubation days and left it until it reaches
room temperature.
12. The DO reading from each samples and blanks was taken. The value was recorded as final
DO.
13. The Equation C was applied to measure BODx for sample

BODx mg/L =

DiDf
P

Where,
Di = initial DO (mg/L)
Df = final DO (mg/L)
P = volume of samples used / total volume
Note :
1) DO in blanks should not deplete more than 0.2 mg/L
2) DO in sample should not less than 2 mg/L
3) Final DO in the samples should not less than 1 mg/L
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
1) Complete the table, what is the BOD of the sample?

Minimum
BOD ID

Volume

of Volume

of Initial

DO Final DO (mg/L)

sample (mL)

Dilution (mL)

(mg/L)

Sample 1

1.8

298.2

8.08

4.80

Sample 2

1.8

298.2

8.18

7.43

Sample 3

1.8

298.2

8.20

7.38

Sample 4

300

8.19

6.83

Sample 5

300

8.19

9.98

Maximum
BOD ID

Volume

Sample 1
Sample 2
Sample 3
Sample 4
Sample 5

sample (mL)
1.8
1.8
1.8
0
0

of Volume
Dilution (mL)
298.2
298.2
298.2
300
300

of Initial
(mg/L)
8.08
8.18
8.20
8.19
8.19

DO Final DO (mg/L)
4.80
7.43
7.38
6.83
9.98

2) In your opinion, is it possible to discharge the sample used in this test to be discharged to the
river? Give your reason.

DISCUSSION
1) Why BOD test should be done promptly after the collection?