Several important parameters for water quality, Drought’s cause thousands of deaths across Sub-Saharan Africa, while the population spends approximately 40 billion hours annually collecting water. Water quality depends on several key parameters, including turbidity, conductivity, Nitrate-N, Nitrite-N, ammonia, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and chemical oxygen demand (COD).
Human waste and sewage present one of our greatest environmental challenges. Many areas lack wastewater treatment plants, allowing raw, untreated sewage to flow directly into oceans through marine outfall pipes that extend deep underwater. In developing countries, an estimated 90% of wastewater gets discharged directly into rivers and streams without any treatment.
What Is Biological Oxygen Demand?
Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) measures the amount of dissolved oxygen that aerobic microorganisms require to decompose organic matter in water samples at specific temperatures over time. We typically express BOD values in milligrams of oxygen per liter of water (mg/L).
What Is Dissolved Oxygen?
Dissolved oxygen represents the amount of gaseous oxygen present in water samples. Water absorbs oxygen directly from the atmosphere or indirectly through photosynthesis from surrounding plant life.
Biological Oxygen Demand and Marine Life
Marine life and microorganisms both depend on oxygen for survival. Microbes use dissolved oxygen to break down complex organic compounds in water, including sugars, cellulose, and synthetic substances. Fish and other aquatic animals rely on dissolved oxygen for respiration, making the balance of oxygen consumption critical.
When organic compounds increase in water, microbial activity multiplies, creating fatal consequences for marine life.
Industrial Impact on Water Quality
Major industries pose significant environmental threats. Factory farming, pulp and paper mills, and chemical, electronics, and automobile manufacturers contribute substantial stress to ecosystems. These industries release various pollutants:
- Raw sewage, phosphates, fertilizers, and pesticides
- Heavy metals from mining operations
- Sulfur and cyanide used in gold extraction
- Industrial chemicals and waste
These contaminants end up in rivers, contributing to environmental destruction. Contaminated groundwater, rivers, and oceans filled with toxic pollutants cause acid rain and thermal pollution. Storm water runoff carries additional chemicals and engine oils from streets into waterways. Landfills produce excessive toxin levels that leach into soil and groundwater.
Since 2010, we’ve served South African industries with the most robust and advanced wastewater and water treatment solutions available. Contact our engineers today to learn how we can help.
