What term describes the amount of dissolved oxygen needed for aerobic bacterial decomposition in wastewater?

The term that describes the amount of dissolved oxygen needed for aerobic bacterial decomposition in wastewater is biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). BOD measures the oxygen consumption by microorganisms during the decomposition of organic matter in water over a specific period, typically five days at 20 degrees Celsius. This metric is crucial in understanding the impact of wastewater on the environment, as it indicates the potential for oxygen depletion in receiving waters, which can harm aquatic life.

Understanding BOD is essential in wastewater treatment processes, since high BOD values can signal elevated levels of organic pollutants, necessitating more advanced treatment to reduce these levels before the effluent is discharged into natural water bodies.