Biochemical

oxygen demand Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a measure of the amount of dissolved oxygen required by microorganisms to decompose organic matter in water. It is a key indicator of the health of a body of water. BOD is used to measure the amount of organic matter present in the water, since high levels of organic matter can cause increased levels of pollutants such as ammonia and phosphorus. High levels of BOD in a body of water can lead to eutrophication, which is an overgrowth of algae and aquatic vegetation, reducing water quality and potentially causing the death of fish and other aquatic species. BOD values are used in order to assess and monitor the water quality of rivers, lakes, and estuaries.