Changes in the Species and Concentration of Carbon, Nitrogen and Sulfur Compounds during the BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) Test and Their Effect on Oxygen Uptake

摘要

The main objective of the study was to obtain a better view of the BOD test, by observing the effect of nitrification and of the oxidation of other possible oxygen-consuming substances, such as sulfur compounds, and to develop a method by which the results of the standard BOD test could be corrected by stoichiometry, so that the final results of the test would only reflect the actual amount of oxygen used in the oxidation of carbonaceous organic matter. Tests were run on wastewater treatment plant effluents in which the changes in oxygen concentration in the samples were measured on a day by day basis, as well as changes in sulfates, nitrites, nitrates, and alkalinity. Some parallel 'inhibited' BOD tests were also run.