Calculation of Range of Dilutions for
Acceptable BOD Results
Prepared By
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Operator Training and Certification Unit
BOD PROCEDURE
DILUTE SAMPLE
Minimum Residual, 1.0 mg/L
Minimum Depletion, 2.0 mg/L
At Least Two Dilutions
Calculation of Range of Acceptable BOD Results
Depletion
BOD Sample =
Sample Volume X 300 mL
Lowest (Minimum) Acceptable Results – Lowest Acceptable Depletion
Minimum Depletion
Minimum BOD = Sample Volume X 300 mL
2.0
Minimum BOD =
Sample Volume X 300
Minimum BOD = 600
Sample Volume
Minimum BOD That May Be Reported = Sample Volume
600
Example
What is the Lowest Acceptable BOD results if 20 mL of sample is used?
Minimum BOD = 600
Sample Volume
Minimum BOD = 600
20
Minimum Acceptable BOD = 30 mg/L
Example 2
What is the Lowest Acceptable BOD results if 150 mL of sample is used?
Minimum BOD = 600
Sample Volume
Minimum BOD = 600
150
Minimum Acceptable BOD = 4 mg/L
Calculation of Range of Acceptable BOD Results
Highest (Maximum) Acceptable Results – Highest Acceptable Depletion
Lowest Acceptable Residual
D.O. In – 1.0
Maximum BOD = Sample Volume X 300 mL
ASSUMING Initial D.O. of 8.0 mg/L
Depletion = 8.0 - 1.0 = 7.0
Maximum BOD =
7.0
Sample Volume X 300
Maximum BOD = 2100
Sample Volume
Maximum BOD That May Be Reported = Sample Volume
2100
Example
What is the highest Acceptable BOD results if 20 mL of sample is used?
Maximum BOD = 2100
Sample Volume
Maximum BOD = 2100
20
Maximum Acceptable BOD = 105 mg/L
Maximum BOD That May Be Reported = Sample Volume
2100
Example 2
What is the highest Acceptable BOD results if 150 mL of sample is used?
Maximum BOD = 2100
Sample Volume
Maximum BOD = 2100
150
Maximum Acceptable BOD = 14 mg/L
Calculation of Range of Acceptable BOD Results
Summary
Lowest (Minimum) Acceptable Results – Lowest Acceptable Depletion
Minimum BOD = 600
Sample Volume
Highest (Maximum) Acceptable Results – Highest Acceptable Depletion
Lowest Acceptable Residual
(Assuming D.O. In =8.0 mg/L
Maximum BOD = 2100
Sample Volume
Calculation of Range of Acceptable BOD Results
Wait A Minute
Minimum BOD = 600
Sample Volume
Maximum BOD = 2100
Sample Volume
600 X 3.5 = 2100
So (assuming D.O. In is 8.0)
Minimum BOD x 3.5 = Maximum BOD
Calculation of Range of Acceptable BOD Results
Summary (again)
Lowest (Minimum) Acceptable Results – Lowest Acceptable Depletion
Minimum BOD = 600
Sample Volume
Highest (Maximum) Acceptable Results – Highest Acceptable Depletion
Lowest Acceptable Residual
(Assuming D.O. In =8.0 mg/L
Maximum BOD = 3.5 X Minimum BOD
Example
What is the Lowest Acceptable BOD results if 30 mL of sample is used?
Minimum BOD = 600 = 20 mg/L
30
What is the Highest Acceptable BOD results if 30 mL of sample is used?
20 mg/L X 3.5 = 70 mg/L
Total Range when using a 30 mL sample:
20 to 70 mg/L
Total Range when using a 100 mL sample = 6 to 21 mg/L
Total Range when using a 150 mL sample = 4 to 14 mg/L
Total Range when using 100 mL and 150 mL (two Bottles)
= 4 to 21 mg/L
OVERLAP From 6 to 14 mg/L
Total Range when using a 50 mL sample = 12 to 42 mg/L
Total Range when using 50 mL and 150 mL (two Bottles)
= 4 to 42 mg/L
OVERLAP From 12 to 14 mg/L
Total Range when using a 25 mL sample = 24 to 84 mg/L
Total Range when using a 125 mL sample = 4.8 to 16.8 mg/L
Total Range when using 25 mL and 125 mL (two Bottles)
= 4.8 to 84 mg/L
?
NO: Does Not Include 16.8 to 24 mg/L
Range To Wide (No Overlap)
Calculate Range of Acceptable BOD Results
Use Two Volumes that Expand the Range
But
Give a “Comfortable” Overlap
Calculate Range of Acceptable BOD Results
Use Two Volumes that Expand the Range
But
Give a “Comfortable” Overlap
Calculate Range of Acceptable BOD Results
Use Two Volumes that Expand the Range
But
Give a “Comfortable” Overlap
Calculation of Range of Dilutions for
Acceptable BOD Results
Prepared By
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Operator Training and Certification Unit
