What does BOD stand for in the context of wastewater treatment?

BOD stands for Biochemical Oxygen Demand, which is a crucial parameter in wastewater treatment that measures the amount of oxygen that microorganisms will consume while decomposing organic matter in water. This measurement is significant because it indicates the level of organic pollution present in the water. A high BOD value means that there is a lot of organic material that can be broken down by bacteria, which can reduce the oxygen available for aquatic life, leading to negative environmental impacts. Monitoring BOD helps wastewater treatment plants determine the effectiveness of their treatment processes and the potential environmental impact of their effluent.