BOD: the modern alchemy. (biochemical oxygen demand)

From: Public Works | Date: January 1, 1992| Author: | Copyright information

Despite our supposed belief in science, the age of alchemy is with us still. Anyone who doubts this has only to look in any wastewater laboratory. There, sandwiched between the latest high-tech computers and analytical instruments, at least one incubator will inevitably be devoted to a test better suited, perhaps, to a medieval dung bath.

I'm referring, of course, to the biochemical oxygen demand, or BOD.

The BOD may be the best known and most fundamental test in the field of water pollution control. Ironically, the current importance of the test stems more from political ...

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