What is the outcome of decomposition of organics in wastewater measured by?

The outcome of decomposition of organics in wastewater is measured by Biochemical Oxygen Demand over five days, commonly referred to as BOD5. This measurement reflects the amount of oxygen that microorganisms will consume while decomposing organic matter in a sample of water over a five-day period. BOD5 is crucial in assessing the impact of wastewater on the environment, particularly in effluent discharged into natural bodies of water. A higher BOD5 indicates a higher level of organic pollution, which means more oxygen is required for the microorganisms to break down the organic material, thus showing the extent of pollution and the potential for environmental harm.

Other measurements such as pH level, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and total suspended solids (TSS) are also important in assessing water quality but focus on different aspects. pH levels provide information about acidity or alkalinity, COD measures the total oxygen needed to chemically oxidize both biodegradable and non-biodegradable substances, and TSS quantifies the solid particles suspended in water. While these measures are important for overall water quality assessment, BOD5 specifically addresses the biological decomposition process of organic matter, making it the most relevant measurement for this question.