biological oxygen demand

noun

1. biochemical oxygen demand.

Word History and Origins

Origin of biological oxygen demand¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

“There had to be a chemical reaction other than organic anaerobic digestion. We actually had a chemical oxygen demand, not a biological oxygen demand.”

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Sanitation officials said in emails that the facility has exceeded levels for solid particles in the wastewater as well as levels for biological oxygen demand and turbidity, or water clarity, all of which are used to measure the degree of organic pollution during the treatment process.

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