Organic chemicals
Over the years, a number of different tests have been
developed to determine the organic content of
wastewaters. In general, the tests may be divided into
those used to measure gross concentrations of organic
matter greater than about 1 mg/l and those used to
measure trace concentrations in the range of 10-12 to
10-0 mg/l. Laboratory methods commonly used today
to measure gross amounts of organic matter
(greater than 1 mg/l) in wastewater include (1) biochemical
oxygen demand (BOD), (2) chemical
oxygen demand (COD) and (3) total organic carbon
(TOC). Trace organics in the range of 10-12 to
10-0 mg/l are determined using instrumental methods
including gas chromatography and mass
spectroscopy. Specific organic compounds are determined
to assess the presence of priority pollutants.