biochemical oxygen demand


noun

the oxygen required by aerobic organisms, as those in sewage, for metabolism. Abbreviation: BOD

Origin of biochemical oxygen demand

First recorded in 1925–30

Words nearby biochemical oxygen demand

British Dictionary definitions for biochemical oxygen demand

biochemical oxygen demand

noun

a measure of the organic pollution of water: the amount of oxygen, in mg per litre of water, absorbed by a sample kept at 20°C for five days Abbreviation: BOD

Medical definitions for biochemical oxygen demand

biochemical oxygen demand

n.

The amount of oxygen required by aerobic microorganisms to decompose the organic matter in a sample of water and used as a measure of the degree of water pollution. biological oxygen demand

Scientific definitions for biochemical oxygen demand

biochemical oxygen demand
[ bī′ō-kĕmĭ-kəl ]

The amount of oxygen required by aerobic microorganisms to decompose the organic matter in a sample of water, such as one polluted by sewage. It is used as a measure of the degree of water pollution.