ENEV 321: L-12 BOD and Wastewater Management Concepts

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts related to Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and wastewater treatment.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

The amount of oxygen required by bacteria while stabilizing decomposable organic matter under aerobic conditions.

Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)

A measure of the total oxygen demand (both biodegradable and non-biodegradable) of water samples.

Total Organic Carbon (TOC)

The total amount of carbon in organic compounds present in water, used to indicate the level of organic pollution.

BOD5

The biochemical oxygen demand measured over a 5-day period, representing the biodegradable organics in a sample.

Carbonaceous BOD (CBOD)

The portion of BOD that pertains solely to the carbon-based compounds in wastewater.

Nitrogenous BOD (NBOD)

The portion of BOD related to nitrogenous compounds, including those involved in nitrification.

Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

The amount of oxygen that is present in water, crucial for aquatic life and a key factor in BOD testing.

Acclimated Seed

Microorganisms that have been adapted to a specific environment or condition to enhance the accuracy of BOD tests.

Toxic Substances

Compounds that can harm aquatic organisms and interfere with BOD test results, which must be absent for valid readings.

Dilution Water

Water used in BOD testing that must be free from toxicities and usually seeded with microorganisms.

pH Level

The measure of acidity or alkalinity of water, which should range from 6.5 to 8.5 for optimal microbial activity during BOD tests.

Incubation Temperature

The temperature at which BOD tests are conducted; typically adjusted to 20°C for standard results.

BOD Exerted

The amount of oxygen consumed during the decomposition of biodegradable organic matter over a specified time.

Nitrification

The biological oxidation of ammonia into nitrite and then into nitrate, contributing to nitrogenous BOD.

Blanks in BOD Testing

Control samples of dilution water and microorganisms used to adjust BOD calculations due to natural organic matter.

DO Sag

A decrease in dissolved oxygen levels in water bodies, often resulting from high BOD discharges.

Osmotic Conditions

The pressure exerted by solutes in a solution; important for maintaining microbial health in BOD tests.

Regulatory Authorities

Government or monitoring bodies that enforce water quality standards using BOD as a critical assessment tool.

BOD Test Methods

Procedures used to measure BOD in water samples, typically including direct and dilution methods.

Five-Day BOD Test

A common BOD testing protocol that measures oxygen demand over five days to quantify biodegradable organics.

Aeration in BOD Testing

The process of adding air to water to increase dissolved oxygen levels, essential before measuring BOD.