Biochemical oxygen demand

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-001251",
  "term": "Biochemical oxygen demand",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "The mass concentration of dissolved oxygen consumed under specified conditions by the biological oxidation of organic and inorganic matter in water. It serves as an empirical measure of the amount of biodegradable organic material in a water sample, indicating the potential for oxygen depletion when discharged into natural waters. The standard test measures the oxygen consumed over a five-day incubation period at 20 degrees Celsius, with results expressed in milligrams of oxygen per litre (mg/L).",
  "synonyms": [
    "biological oxygen demand"
  ],
  "subject": "Chemistry and the Environment",
  "see_also": [
    "litre"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1992, 64, 143. 'Glossary for chemists of terms used in biotechnology (IUPAC Recommendations 1992)' on page 148 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199264010143)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/biochemical-oxygen-demand/"
}