What is the incubation temperature for a BOD sample?

The appropriate incubation temperature for a Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) sample is 20 ± 1°C. This standard temperature is critical because it mimics the natural conditions that microorganisms experience in wastewater environments. It allows for a consistent measurement of the amount of oxygen that microorganisms will consume while decomposing organic material in the sample over a five-day period.

Setting the temperature at this level ensures that the metabolic rates of the microorganisms are optimal for BOD testing, leading to reliable and reproducible results. Lower temperatures may slow microbial activity, resulting in an underestimation of organic matter, while higher temperatures can accelerate the process and potentially lead to an overestimation.

Therefore, the specified range around 20°C balances these considerations, aligning with standard testing procedures established by environmental regulatory agencies.