How do you measure chemical oxygen demand in water?

COD is measured via a laboratory assay in which a sample is incubated with a strong chemical oxidant for a specified time interval and at constant temperature (usually 2 h at 150°C). The most commonly used oxidant is potassium dichromate, which is used in combination with boiling sulphuric acid.

How do you calculate chemical oxygen demand?

There is a formula for calculating COD. Consider the formula for COD calculation: (a – b) X C X 8,000 / the volume of the sample in mL. Let “a” represent the titrant used for your sample expressed in mL. Let “b” represent the titrant used for your blank sample in mL.

What causes high chemical oxygen demand in water?

COD increases as the concentration of organic material increases. It also increases if inorganic compounds susceptible to oxidation by the oxidant (typically dichromate) are present. Water with high COD typically contains high levels of decaying plant matter, human waste, or industrial effluent.

Why COD is measured?

The chemical oxygen demand (COD) is a measure of water and wastewater quality. The COD test is often used to monitor water treatment plant efficiency. This test is based on the fact that a strong oxidizing agent, under acidic conditions, can fully oxidize almost any organic compound to carbon dioxide.

How do you determine COD in water samples?

The COD test uses a chemical (potassium dichromate in a 50% sulfuric acid solution) that “oxidizes” both organic (predominate) and inorganic substances in a wastewater sample, which results in a higher COD concentration than BOD concentration for the same wastewater sample since only organic compounds are consumed …

What is a high chemical oxygen demand?

The Significance of Chemical Oxygen Demand High chemical oxygen demand in water indicates greater levels of oxidizable organic matter and consequently, a lower amount of Dissolved Oxygen (DO). Critical DO depletion due to organic contamination can kill off aquatic life forms.

What is chemical oxygen demand in wastewater?

Chemical oxygen demand (COD) is the amount of dissolved oxygen that must be present in water to oxidize chemical organic materials, like petroleum. COD is used to gauge the short-term impact wastewater effluents will have on the oxygen levels of receiving waters.

What is the importance of chemical oxygen demand?

In wastewater treatment, the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) is an important measurement for the amount of oxygen that is required to break down pollutants (organic substances) in water. The chemical oxygen demand can be measured using different methods, direct or indirect.