In water quality detection, organic compound indicators cover far more than just COD. Conventional core indicators also include TOC, BOD, and TOD. Water organic pollution mainly refers to water quality deterioration caused by hydrocarbons and their derivatives. Therefore, analyzing the content of organic compounds in water with a Water Quality Detector is crucial for assessing water pollution levels accurately.
Harmful substances in water are divided into two major categories. The first category consists of toxic substances such as petroleum compounds, phenols, nitrobenzene compounds, and surfactants. The second category includes organic substances like proteins and polysaccharides. These substances consume a large amount of dissolved oxygen during their degradation process, which severely hinders the growth and survival of aquatic organisms.
COD, TOC, BOD, and TOD are four key indicators adopted to evaluate organic pollution in water bodies. Many people wonder about the differences between these indicators and why multiple parameters are required for organic compound detection. A clear understanding of their operational principles and correlations can resolve this confusion. The core difference between COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand), TOC (Total Organic Carbon) and other comprehensive organic indicators lies in their oxidation methods.
- Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
COD refers to the amount of dissolved oxygen consumed by chemical oxidants when reacting with reducing substances in water samples. It effectively reflects the pollution degree of water bodies caused by reductive contaminants, mainly organic compounds.
- Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
Under aerobic conditions, microorganisms decompose and oxidize biodegradable substances (primarily organic matter) in water through biochemical reactions. BOD represents the volume of dissolved oxygen consumed during this natural microbial decomposition process.
- Total Organic Carbon (TOC)
TOC directly indicates the total content of organic matter in water by measuring the total carbon mass contained in organic compounds, serving as a direct quantitative indicator of water organic pollutants.
It is worth noting that the above parameters can only reflect partial data of organic pollutant content rather than the full pollution status. Enterprises can select suitable detection indicators and monitor organic content in water with a professional Water Quality Detector according to their actual production conditions and water quality monitoring needs.
