Why is it important to run the BOD test?
Most importantly, the BOD test is required by law. The BOD test is used to determine how much oxygen is being used by aerobic microorganisms in the water to decompose organic matter. If these aerobic bacteria use too much of the dissolved oxygen in the water, there will not be enough left over for the fish, insects, and other organisms that rely on the oxygen to live. In this situation the rich diversity of life in a healthy river is reduced to a low diversity (but sometimes high volume) of pollution tolerant organisms.
Most importantly, the BOD test is required by law. The BOD test is used to determine how much oxygen is being used by aerobic microorganisms in the water to decompose organic matter. If these aerobic bacteria use too much of the dissolved oxygen in the water, there will not be enough left over for the fish, insects, and other organisms that rely on the oxygen to live. In this situation, the rich diversity of life in a healthy river is reduced to a low diversity (but sometimes high volume) of pollution-tolerant organisms.
