Chemistry One Datalogging

Experiment 35: Measuring the biochemical oxygen

demand of polluted water

TEACHER NOTES
RATIONALE
In polluted water, some bacteria consume oxygen as they respire, and some chemical
pollutants may be oxidised, also consuming oxygen. By calculating the amount of
oxygen consumed in polluted water, we have one measure of the degree of pollution of
that water. The results should be considered in relation to a broad range of physical
and biological tests before drawing specific conclusions.

One major difficulty with the established method of titration is the very small amounts
of dissolved oxygen in polluted water. Hence, the end-point of the titration is very early
(a 1–2 mL titre is not unusual) which makes it difficult for students who are new to
titrations to obtain accurate results. Another issue is the introduction of oxygen above
that which would have been present in the initial sample from handling the water
sample. Using a dissolved oxygen sensor connected to a datalogger solves these issues
when the sensor is calibrated correctly.

This experiment is not usually available as a preset file. However, check with your
manufacturer’s experiment library for availability. The dissolved oxygen sensors
themselves usually come with extensive instructions enclosed.

This activity is intended as an extension or demonstration in support of titration

techniques due to the cost and sensitivity of dissolved oxygen sensors.

Concepts: instrumentation, datalogging BOD, ionic equations

Time: 2 × 10 minutes 5 days apart as part of the standard activity (plus site visit time
to collect samples)
Suitable interfaces: 1 × Analogue sensor connection supporting sampling rates of
about 1 sample per hour. Standard graphing functions should be available with the
supported software along with the ability to show a digital or metered display of real-
time values.
Notes: Dissolved oxygen sensors are sensitive and complex requiring maintenance and
replacement of—ideally—the platinum electrode. The sensor must be calibrated before
each sampling takes place. Please read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully in
conjunction with this experiment. The manufacturer usually supplies the ionic equations
occurring at the cathode and the anode. This material can be supplied to students for
comparison with titration methods.

MATERIALS
This activity is only intended as an extension or demonstration activity in support of the
standard titration experiment. Significantly more reliable results can be obtained and
provide a useful addition to the experiment for students to compare with their own
titration results.
• interface (sampling rate = 1 hour per sample)
• dissolved oxygen sensor and amplifier
• water sample for testing
• distilled water
• 100 mL plastic sampling bottle
• oven or incubator

General notes for getting started

• Consult your interface’s manual for instructions on where to find the software
features that are referred to in the experiment.

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Chemistry One Datalogging

• When editing the experiment include some screen captures or copies from the
manual of particular screens and features to assist students who are new to
datalogging.
• Laminate copies of the ‘Quick Start’ guides for use as mouse mats; students will
find most features they need by themselves.
• Make sure the appropriate connecting cables are supplied for your interface and
computer combination. Only put out the correct cables so that students are
not confused.
Student practical follows.

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Chemistry One Datalogging

Experiment 35: Measuring the biochemical oxygen

demand of polluted water
PURPOSE
To measure the BOD5 of a sample of polluted water as one measure of the degree of
pollution in a water sample and to check the results of a titration by comparison with
datalogging techniques.

THEORY
In polluted water, some bacteria consume oxygen as they respire, and some chemical
pollutants may be oxidised, also consuming oxygen. By calculating the amount of
oxygen consumed in polluted water one measure of the degree of pollution can be
established.

A dissolved oxygen sensor connected to a datalogger enables the rate of de-

oxygenation of the water to be established in real time and without the problems
typically associated with titration techniques. In particular, the very short titration
normally occurring with heavily de-oxygenated water and the artificial re-oxygenation
of the water when carrying out the titration can lead to inaccurate readings by
inexperienced titrators.

Additional Question: Dissolved Oxygen sensors typically use a platinum electrode

together with another material in a renewable cartridge. The reaction at the electrode
causes the electrode to decay. Find out and record the ionic equations for both the
cathode and the anode of the electrode.

SAFETY PROCEDURES
1. Follow all instructions for using the equipment in this activity.
2. Take care with the dissolved oxygen sensor. It is waterproof only along the length
of the electrode and must be calibrated before every use.

EQUIPMENT
• interface
• dissolved oxygen sensor and amplifier box
• water sample for testing
• distilled water
• 100 mL plastic sample bottle
• oven or incubator

PROCEDURE
Prior to this activity you will need to collect a suitable sample of water from the
waterway or stream to be tested. Be careful to keep the water as still as possible.
Shaking the sample will add oxygen to the water altering the results. You may like to
take the datalogger to the stream in order to take a reading on site.

PART I: Computer Setup

1. Connect the interface to the computer following the manufacturer’s instructions,
turn on the interface, and finally turn on the computer.
2. Connect the electrode to the amplifier box (to increase the size of the signal) and
connect the amplifier to Analog Channel A/1.
3. Configure the datalogging software as follows:

**Consult your interface’s manual for instructions on where to find these features.**

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Chemistry One Datalogging

• Open a Digital display showing a value of concentration in %, ppm or mg/L (as

available)
• The Sampling Options… for this activity are: Sampling rate = 1 hour per
sample

PART II: Sensor Calibration and Equipment Setup

• You will need to calibrate the dissolved oxygen sensor before every use. A
single-point calibration is used to calibrate the sensor.

1. Click on the sensor icon or go to the appropriate menu to open the sensor
calibration window. (Check your manufacturer’s manual if you’re not sure where to
find this.)
2. The dissolved oxygen sensor will have come with a small protective storage
container. Fill this with about 1 cm of water and screw it back onto the electrode of
the sensor. A small O-ring will form a watertight seal. Take care that the tip of the
electrode is not immersed in water.
3. Shake the container and electrode vigorously for about 1 minute. This will fully
saturate the air in the container with water creating an atmosphere equivalent to
100% dissolved oxygen.
4. Let the water settle and make sure no drops remain on the electrode itself.
5. Enter 100% as the value for calibration and click on the CALIBRATE or READ
buttons to record the actual voltage being developed by the electrode. Your
calibration is complete.

PART III: Data Recording

1. Use your sample bottle to fill the sensor’s storage container with water and
refasten it to the electrode of the sensor. You should overfill a little to ensure
that there is no air trapped inside with the sample. (You may also be able to
adapt a larger container for the same job if you consider the sample too
small. Remember though that the sensor is significantly more sensitive to
small changes than the titration technique that you used previously.
2. When you are ready, click the REC or START button to start collecting data.
Make a note of the initial
3. Move your sample to the oven or incubator while still recording. The incubator
should be sealed, dark and kept at approximately 20°C for a period of 5 days. The
sensor, and even the interface, can be stored in the incubator as well if you want
to try full remote logging (consult your manufacturer’s manual). Alternatively tape
can be used to seal the connections to the computer and/or mains power.
4. Retrieve your sample and the datalogger at the end of five days. The software will
have recorded a graph of the Dissolved oxygen vs Time for the 5-day period.
5. Make sure you save the results before continuing your analysis and carefully rinse
the sensor in distilled water after discarding your sample.
6. The difference between start- and end-values is known as the biochemical
oxygen demand (BOD). Use the software’s analysis functions to find this value
and record it for comparison with your titration results.

QUESTIONS
1. How do your instrument values compare with the original titration results? How
reliable did you find the estimates to be?
2. What are the major sources of error involved in each method?
3. Check the graph of Dissolved oxygen vs Time. Are there any unusual features?
What does the shape of the graph suggest occurred during the 5-day period? Was
the rate of oxygen production or depletion constant? Can you explain any
changes?

OPTIONAL: Monitoring stream quality

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Chemistry One Datalogging

Collect samples from your local streams or waterways for testing. You may be able to
take advantage of your equipment’s datalogging capabilities and leave the sensor at the
stream measuring dissolved oxygen concentration over a few days during a period
when hot weather or storms are expected. A pH sensor, flow-rate sensor, thermocline
or ion-selective electrode could be added to give more comprehensive measures of the
stream’s pollution level.

ENDING THE ACTIVITY

Equipment Clean Up
• Check with your instructor about putting away the equipment for this activity.
Ensure that the dissolved oxygen sensor is washed in distilled water prior to
storage and is packed carefully, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Computer Shutdown
When you have finished, you have several options:
1. You can select Quit/Exit from the File menu to end the activity.
2. You can select Save or Save As… from the File menu to save your data for this
activity, including the data you have recorded.
• If you are using a manufacturer’s preset experiment the document may be
‘locked’, so you should give your experiment a new filename.
• Calculator-based systems will automatically save the data on the calculator.
Consult your manuals for instructions on downloading the data to a computer
for analysis and printing.

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