1.

INTRODUCTION
The chemical oxygen demand (COD) test is commonly used to indirectly
measure the amounts of organic compounds in water. Most applications of COD
determine the amounts of organic pollutants found in surface water (e.g. lakes and
rivers), making COD a useful measure of water quality. It is expressed in milligram
per liter (mg/L), which indicates the mass of oxygen consumed per liter of solution.
COD is the measurement of the amount of oxygen in water consumed for chemical
oxidation of pollutant. COD determines the quantity of oxygen required to oxidize the
organic matter in water or waste water sample, under specific conditions of oxidizing
agent, temperature, and time. This method covers the determination of COD in
ground and surface waters, domestic and industrial wastewaters. The applicable range
is 3-900 mg/L.[1]

2.0

OBJECTIVE
To measure the oxygen requirement of a sample that is likely to oxidation by strong
chemical oxidant (potassium dichromate).

3.0

THEORY
Like the BOD test, oxygen is used to oxidize the organics to carbon dioxide
and water. However, instead of free dissolved oxygen, chemically bound oxygen in
potassium dichromate K2Cr2O7 is used to oxidize the organics. As the potassium
dichromate is used up the Cr+3 ion is produced. The amount of dichromate used is
proportional to the amounts of organics present. Likewise, the amount of Cr +3 ion
present is proportional to the amounts of organics digested.
Organics + K2Cr2O7
(Orange)

Cr+3
(Green)

Most labs use the Hach Method to measure COD. This method uses test tubes
with premeasured amounts of potassium dichromate, sulfuric acid, and catalyst. For
the digestion to occur, the reaction needs acid, heat, and a catalyst. The acid is sulfuric
acid and is already in the tube. The sample will get very hot when the sample is added
to the acid and mixed. Be sure the cap is on tight before mixing and mix just prior to
placing in the digestion reactor. The heat will be provided by the digestion reactor
which is set at 150C. The sample is refluxed (digested) for 2 hours. During the 2
hours, the organics are oxidized by the acid, potassium dichromate and catalyst. The
catalyst is silver. However, silver must be soluble and will precipitate if chlorides are
present in the sample. To prevent silver precipitation, mercury has been added to the
reagents in the tube. The mercury will remove the chloride interference. Once the 2
hours refluxing period is finished, the remaining potassium dichromate is measured
using the spectrophotometer. 13-2 Since this is a spectrophotometric test, a standard
curve can be prepared as discussed earlier. However, this method is so reliable, that

the Hach standard curve stored in the spectrophotometer software program is

normally used to determine the sample concentration directly. As discussed earlier, a
reagent blank and standard must be prepared to zero the spectrophotometer and
validate the curve.[2]

4.0

EQUIPMENT
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5

5.0

COD Vial
Cod Reactor
100 mL conical flask
Burette
Pipette

CHEMICAL
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6

Potassium Dichromate solution

Sulfuric acid
Ferroin indicator
Standard ferrous ammonium sulphate (FAS)
Distilled water
UTHM lake water

REFERENCES
[1] http://nitttrc.ac.in/Four%20quadrant/eel/Quadrant%20-%201/exp12_pdf.pdf
[2]
https://www.env.nm.gov/swqb/documents/swqbdocs/UOCP/StudyManuals/WWLabStudyGui
de/13.pdf
[3] https://www.edgeanalytical.com/wp-content/uploads/Inorganic_SM5220.pdf
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_oxygen_demand