1.

0 Introduction

The chemical oxygen demand (COD) test is commonly used to indirectly measure the
amount of organic compounds in water. Most applications of COD determine the amount
of organic pollutants found in surface water (e.g. lakes and rivers), making COD a useful
measure of water quality. It is expressed in milligrams per liter (mg/L), which indicates
the mass of oxygen in water consumed per liter of solution.
COD is the measurement of the amount of oxygen in water consumed for chemical
oxidation of pollutants. 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 wastewater. The applicable range is 3-900 mg/L.

Theory
2.0 Learning Outcomes

a. Apply well defined concept in water quality engineering.

b. Conduct the laboratory experiments in water quality using standard procedure and
equipment.
c. Demonstrate ability to lead and work in team to complete assigned tasks during
practical work.

3.0 Objective
To determine chemical oxygen demand in the given sample of water and performing the
testing experiment.

4.0 Apparatus
Package contents (refer to merck 1.14555.0001):
25 reaction cells
1 sheet of round sticker for numbering the cells

Other reagent and accessories:

 Merckoquant Chloride Test, Cat. No. 110079, measuring range 500- 3000 mg/l C

l

Spectroquant CombiCheck 70, Cat. No. 114689

COD standard solution CRM, 1000mg/l COD, Cat. No. 125032
COD standard solution CRM, 1000mg/l COD, Cat. No. 125033 COD
Standard solution CRM, 1000mg/l COD, Cat. No. 125034
Pipette for a pipetting volume of 1.0ml
Thermoreator

5.0 Preparation

Analyze immediately after sampling

Homogenize the samples
Check the chloride content with the Merkoquant Chloride Test. Sample

containing more than 5000mg/L C l must be diluted with distilled water

prior to determining the COD.

6.0 Precedure

Suspend the bottom sediment in the reaction cell by swiriling

Pretreated sample 1.0 ml Carefully allow to run
from the pipette down the
inside of the tilted reaction
cell onto the reagent (Wear
eye protection, the cell
become hot)
Tightly attach the screw cap to the cell.
In all subsequent steps the cell must be held only by the screw cap
Vigorously mix the contents of the cell.
Heat the cell at 148C in the preheated thermoreactor for 120min.
Remove the hot cell from the thermoreactor and allow cooling in a test-tube rack.
Do not cool with cold water.
Wait 10min, swirl the cell and return to the rack for complete cooling to room
temperature (cooling time at least 30min)
Measure in the photometer.
 6.1 Important Notes:

1. For photometric measurement the cells must be clean. Wipe if necessary with
clean dry cloth.
2. Measurement of turbid solution yield false-high reading.
3. The measurement value remains yields stable over a long term.
4. When using the SQ 118 photometer, a blank must be prepared for each test
package according to the procedure described above (as per measurement
sample, but with distilled water instead of sample).

7.0 Results
No Sample Name Volume of COD value (mg/L)
Sample(mL)
1 A 1000 3.06
2 B 1000 3.01
3 C 1000 3.05
8.0 Discussion
Used widely to estimate the amount of organic matter in wastewater. The COD determination
is made with the spectrophotometer. The test measures the amount of oxygen required for
chemical oxidation of organic matter in the sample to carbon dioxide and water.

9.0 Conclusion
The chemical oxygen demand (COD) test is commonly used to indirectly measure the
amount of organic compounds in water. Most applications of COD determine the amount of
organic pollutants found in surface water (e.g. lakes and rivers), making COD a useful
measure of water quality. It is expressed in milligrams per liter (mg/L), which indicates the
mass of oxygen consumed per liter of solution. Older references may express the units as
parts per million (ppm).