Oxygen demand
Oxygen Demand is a term used in Environmental Science and Water Quality to describe the amount of oxygen required by organisms in a body of water to carry out their life processes. It is a critical factor in the health of aquatic ecosystems, as a high oxygen demand can lead to oxygen depletion, which can harm or kill aquatic organisms.
Biological Oxygen Demand[edit | edit source]
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a measure of the amount of oxygen required by bacteria and other microorganisms to decompose organic matter in water. It is a key indicator of the organic pollution of water, with higher BOD values indicating greater pollution. BOD is typically measured over a five-day period (BOD5), though longer periods can be used for more accurate results.
Chemical Oxygen Demand[edit | edit source]
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) is a measure of the total amount of oxygen required to oxidize all organic and inorganic matter in water, including substances that are not easily biodegradable. COD is a useful measure of water quality, as it can provide a quick estimate of BOD. However, it can overestimate the amount of oxygen demand due to the inclusion of inorganic matter.
Oxygen Demand and Water Quality[edit | edit source]
The level of oxygen demand in a body of water is a key factor in its overall quality. High levels of oxygen demand can lead to oxygen depletion or hypoxia, which can harm or kill aquatic organisms. This can lead to a decrease in biodiversity, as well as economic impacts on industries such as fishing and tourism.
See Also[edit | edit source]
- Water Quality
- Biological Oxygen Demand
- Chemical Oxygen Demand
- Oxygen Depletion
- Hypoxia (environmental)
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