1.

0 INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVES

This experiment consists of three parts and was conducted to determine the organic
characteristics of wastewater sample in terms of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD),
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and nitrate, nitrite and phosphorus content.

First part of experiment is to determine the COD in the wastewater sample. COD is a
measure of the capacity of water to consume oxygen during the decomposition of organic
matter and the oxidation of inorganic chemicals such as ammonia and nitrite. Hr vials in the
range of 20 to 1500 mg/L were used to measure COD by using the COD meter. Along with the
potassium dichromate in 50% sulfuric acid solution, pre-prepared COD vials also contain silver
sulfate as a catalyst and mercuric sulfate to eliminate chloride interference. Thus, COD vials
are considered hazardous waste and must be handled and disposed of in an approved manner
(Yang, Liu, & Yang, 2009).

Second part of the experiment is to determine the BOD in the wastewater sample. BOD
test is widely used test to establish concentration of organic matter in wastewater samples based
on the principle that if sufficient oxygen is available, aerobic biological decomposition by
microorganisms will continue until all waste is consumed. The BOD test is also known as
BOD5 since it is based on the accurate measure of dissolved oxygen (DO) at the beginning and
end of a five-day period in which the sample is held in dark, incubated conditions 20C. The
change in DO concentration over five days represents the oxygen demand for respiration by
the aerobic biological microorganisms in the sample (Kwak, Khang, Kim, & Kim, 2013).

The COD test only takes a few hours to complete, giving it a major advantage over the
5-day BOD test. Thus, wastewater treatment system personnel can use COD as an almost real-
time operational adjustment parameter. Although COD can test wastewater that is too toxic for
the BOD test, the COD test should be considered an independent measure of the organic matter
in a wastewater sample rather than a substitute for the BOD test (Seng, Dokkratoom, & Pijarn,
2015).

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 Last part of the experiment was conducted on determination of nitrite, nitrate and
phosphorus content of a wastewater sample. Nitrates are a form of nitrogen, which is found in
several different forms in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. These forms of nitrogen include
ammonia (NH3), nitrates (NO3), and nitrites (NO2). Nitrates are essential plant nutrients, but in
excess amounts they can cause significant water quality problems. Together with phosphorus,
nitrates in excess amounts can accelerate eutrophication, causing dramatic increases in aquatic
plant growth and changes in the types of plants and animals that live in the stream. This, in
turn, affects dissolved oxygen, temperature, and other indicators (Michalski & Kurzyca, 2006).

Decomposition of the organic matter lowers the dissolved oxygen level, which in turn
slows the rate at which ammonia is oxidized to nitrite (NO2) and then to nitrate (NO3).
According to the theory, there will be change of colour of the reagent powder when it is added
to the sample which shows the presence of the organic compound. Final colour density is
measured for results. The equipment used was DR2800 with three consecutive method.
PhosVer3 (ascorbic acid) is to determine Phosphorus content, Diazotization method is to
determine Nitrite content while Cadmium Reduction method is to determine the Nitrate content
in the wastewaster sample (Frank, 2015).

Objectives:

1. To determine the chemical oxygen demand of a wastewater sample

2. To determine the biochemical oxygen demand of a wastewater sample
3. To determine the nitrate, nitrite and phosphorus content of a wastewater sample

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2.0 PROCEDURE
Part A: COD Determination in wastewater

The vial was used with the appropriate range which was Hr range
(20 1500 mg/L)

By according to the manufacturer (HACH Co.), the vial was added

with the specific volume.

The blank was prepared by using deionized water instead of the

sample which was for Mr: 2 deionised water was used.

The cap was replaced tightly. The vial was inverted with gently mix
with several times to mix the contents and the vial was heated at
temp of 150C for two hours in the reactor.

The vial was removed from the reactor after two hours, at being cold
at room temp at least 30 mins.

The COD was measured by using COD meter.

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Part B: BOD determination in wastewater

The wastewater sample source was determined.

Accurately 200ml of the sample was transferred into the BOD bottle.

The nitrification inhibitor (BOD inhibitor) was weighed 0.16g then was
added into the sample.

The sample was refilled with 100ml dilution was and was stirred.

By using DO meter the initial DO level were recorded.

The sample was placed in the incubator for 5 days.

The final DO reading was taken on day 5.

The BOD5 was calculated by the equation given.

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Part C: Ammonia-Nitrogen Determination in Wastewater

The sample cell was prepared by filling the cell with the wastewater to
the 10mL mark.

The blank cell was prepared by replacing the wastewater with the
deionized water.

The ammonia salicylate was added to each cell. It was shaked to

dissolved.

The cell was leaved for 3 minutes to react.

The ammonia cyanurate reagent was added to each cell.

It was leaved for 15 mins to allow the reaction. The presence of green
colour was indicated the presence of ammonia-nitrogen.

The sample was read at OD 655nm

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3.0 RESULT

Table 1: Reading of pH and DO for each Groups

Groups SUHADAS NISAHS ATIKAS WANS WAFIS

pH 5.66 6.78 6.11 6.67 5.99 6.67 6.92 6.92 5.93 6.56
DO 5.43 5.66 6.39 2.60 6.12

COD Test

Table 2: Reading of COD of each Groups.

Group Hr range (mg/L)

BLANK 0
WAFI 77
SUHADA 57
NISAH 59
ATIKA 44
WAN 47

BOD Test

Table 3.1: Suhadas Group Calculated BOD After 5 Days.

Dilution 25 ml 50 ml 100 ml 150 ml

DO (initial) - 7.84 7.36 6.75
DO (final) - 6.68 4.92 4.22
P - 0.17 0.33 0.5
BOD5 - 6.82 7.39 5.06

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 Table 3.2: Nisahs Group Calculated BOD After 5 Days.

Dilution 25 ml 50 ml 100 ml 150 ml

DO (initial) - 7.92 7.19 6.73
DO (final) - 5.62 2.93 2.71
P - 0.17 0.33 0.5
BOD5 - 13.53 12.91 8.04

Table 3.3: Atikas Group Calculated BOD After 5 Days.

Dilution 25 ml 50 ml 100 ml 150 ml

DO (initial) - 7.76 7.34 6.95
DO (final) - 5.70 3.16 2.42
P - 0.17 0.33 0.5
BOD5 - 12.12 12.67 9.06

Table 3.4: Wans Group Calculated BOD After 5 Days.

Dilution 25 ml 50 ml 100 ml 150 ml

DO (initial) 7.85 7.29 6.48 5.57
DO (final) 5.03 3.55 3.74 3.95
P 0.08 0.17 0.33 0.5
BOD5 35.25 22.00 8.30 3.24

Table 3.5: Wafis Group Calculated BOD After 5 Days.

Dilution 25 ml 50 ml 100 ml 150 ml

DO (initial) - 7.84 7.43 6.89
DO (final) - 5.14 2.01 3.16
P - 0.17 0.33 0.5
BOD5 - 15.88 16.42 7.46

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Ammonia-Nitrogen Test

Table 4: Ammonia-Nitrogen Test

Group Result (mg/L)

Nisah 0.45
Suhada 1.08
Wan 0.17
Wafi 0.39

4.0 DISCUSSION

This experiment is to determination of organic characteristics of wastewater by

determine the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) of
samples and Ammonia-Nitrogen Determination in Wastewater. The samples were collected
near the residence of UniKL MICET while one sample was collected a bit further about 1 km
from residence which group Wan. Based on Table 1, all the sample pH was calibrated to
reach around 6.5 to 7.5 for the BOD test. Each group pH is indicating slight acidic between
5.66 to 6.11 which is expected due to careless of UniKL MICET students of staffs that pour
chemical into the drainage while only Wan group pH is normal that is 6.92.

Then, the reading of Dissolve Oxygen (DO) of each group were taken where all group
contain high concentration of oxygen between 5.43 to 6.39 except group Wan. The DO of
sample Wan is 2.60, the cause of low concentration of oxygen concentration is due to the
large life form such as insect larvae and tadpole in the water when closer observed. When
comparing between all the samples, the low oxygen concentration from Wan group due to
the large life form where the pH is normal while the high oxygen concentration that dont have
any life form due to the acidity of the sample.

For the COD test, it is used to measure of the capacity of water to consume oxygen
during the decomposition of organic matter and the oxidation of inorganic chemicals such as
ammonia and nitrite (Science, 2017). The COD vial that were used in this test is the Hr range

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that is 20 mg/L to 1500 mg/L. The Hr results obtain based on Table 2 are between 44 mg/L to
77 mg/L. When compare the COD sample and normal domestic sewage is therefore generally
600 - 900 mg/L (Butlerm, 2013), the sample is much more acceptable that the water system is
suitable for the biological life If the COD is higher, the higher of oxygen stripping capacity
which can resulting in damaging the biological life.

The BOD test is done with the dilution of 50 ml, 100 ml and 150 ml each group except
Wan group which start with 25 ml. The BOD is used to determining the amount of dissolved
oxygen needed by aerobic biological organisms in a body of water to break down organic
material (Ysi, 2013). The BOD reading for group Suhada are 6.82 at 50 ml, 7.39 at 100 ml
and 5.06 at 150 ml. The BOD had a sudden rise at 100 ml indicate error during the procedure.
Group Atika also have the same error at 100 ml where the reading is 12.61 while 12.12 for
50 ml and 9.06 for 150 ml. For group Wafi there also error at 100 ml that is 16.42 while 50
ml at 15.88 and 150 ml at 7.46. For group Nisah have the normal reading of BOD which is
13.53 for 50 ml, 12.91 for 100 ml and 8.04 for 150 ml. For group Wan where the reading at
25ml is 35.25, 50ml is 22.00, 100ml is 8.30 and lastly at 150 ml is 3.24.

Even though there an error between the group sample, the BOD still decreasing as the
dilution increase but the BOD for group Wan have huge different compare another group.
This indicate that the sample obtain from group Wan indicate there a lot of life form in the
water system as the oxygen consumed are higher. Lastly is the determination of Ammonia-
Nitrogen in wastewater. The nitrogen indicates the nutrient in the environment that is necessary
to sustain growth of most organisms while the ammonia occur from the anaerobic
decomposition of nitrogen. Based on Table 4, group Suhada have the highest rate that is 1.08
mg/L which indicate the water system lacking organism while the lowest us group Wan that
is 0.17 and when observe the sample contain high orgasm.

5.0 CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATION

The objective of this experiment is to determine the BOD and COD of wastewater
sample as well as to determine the Ammonia-Nitrogen in wastewater sample. Dissolve oxygen
first was measured with the results of average of 5.43 mg/L to 6.39 mg/L for initial reading for
all groups except the result for group Wan (2.60 mg/L) which is slightly low compared to other
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groups due to the presence of life form in the sample which consume oxygen through
respiration. For final reading, the results was measured after 5 days of incubation and calculated
to obtain the BOD reading. The results were compared to each groups and for our group the
results obtained is 35.25, 22.00, 8.30 and 3.24 for 25 ml dilution, 50 ml dilution, 100 ml dilution
and 150 ml dilution respectively. For COD test, 1 range of vial method analysis used which is
high range and the result obtained which include all groups was in the range of 44 mg/L to 77
mg/L. From this experiment, when COD and BOD increase, the DO level decrease due to the
activity of organisms inside the water sample which consumed the oxygen to break down
organic wastes. For ammonia-nitrogen test, the results which include all groups is between 0.17
mg/L to 1.08 mg/L.

There are few recommendations that should be taken into account to ensure the results
from the experiment become more accurate. When testing BOD and COD, the safety concern
involves wastewater hazards and exposure to chemicals. So, it was recommended to cover all
abrasions and wear protective gloves when in direct contact with the samples. Other than that,
it is important not to have any presence of bubbles in BOD bottles and make sure the bottles
have a water tight seal to prevent possible contamination and a change in volumes of solutions.
In addition, it is recommended to incubate the BOD bottles at temperature of 20oC because this
temperature provide perfect controlled environment for the reproduction of bacteria.

REFERENCES

1. Butler Manufacturing Services. (2013). Sewage Parameters 7: Chemical Oxygen

Demand (COD). Retrieved from http://www.butlerms.com/index.php/blog/education-
blog/212-sewage-parameters-7-chemical-oxygen-demand-cod

2. Frank, R.S. (2015). The Science of Water: Concepts and Applications. (3 rdEdition). New
York: Taylor & Francis group.
3. Kwak, J., Khang, B., Kim, E., & Kim, H. (2013). Estimation of Biochemical Oxygen
Demand Based on Dissolved Organic Carbon, UV Absorption, and Fluorescence
Measurements, 2013.
4. Michalski, R., & Kurzyca, I. (2006). Determination of Nitrogen Species (Nitrate, Nitrite
and Ammonia Ions ) in Environmental Samples by Ion Chromatography, 15(1), 518.
5. Science. (2017). Chemical Oxygen Demand. Retrieved from
http://science.jrank.org/pages/1388/Chemical-Oxygen-Demand.html

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6. Seng, H., Dokkratoom, S., & Pijarn, N. (2015). Effect of EM Ball on DO, BOD and
COD of Wastewater Treatment Plant in, 3(4), 48.
7. Yang, Q., Liu, Z., & Yang, J. (2009). Simultaneous Determination of Chemical Oxygen
Demand (COD) and Biological Oxygen Demand ( BOD 5 ) in Wastewater by Near-
Infrared Spectrometry, 2009(October), 286289.
http://doi.org/10.4236/jwarp.2009.14035

8. YSI Inc. (2017). Biochemical Oxygen Demand BOD. Retrieved from

https://www.ysi.com/parameters/biochemical-oxygen-demand-bod

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