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What does the acronym CBOD stand for in wastewater treatment?

  1. Carbonaceous Biochemical Oxygen Demand

  2. Chlorine Biochemical Oxygen Demand

  3. Chemical Biological Oxygen Demand

  4. Combined Biochemical Oxygen Demand

The correct answer is: Carbonaceous Biochemical Oxygen Demand

The acronym CBOD stands for Carbonaceous Biochemical Oxygen Demand. This term refers to the amount of oxygen that microorganisms will consume while decomposing organic matter in a sample of water, specifically the carbon sources present. It is crucial in wastewater treatment as it helps in assessing the organic pollution level of the water and indicates the potential impact on receiving water bodies. Monitoring CBOD is essential for determining the efficiency of treatment processes, as a high CBOD level may indicate inadequate treatment leading to environmental issues. In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the components of wastewater that CBOD measures. Chlorine is not related to the carbonaceous part of biochemical demand, nor does chemical biological oxygen demand exist as a term commonly used in wastewater treatment. Combined biochemical oxygen demand is also not recognized in this context, as the focus of CBOD is specifically on carbonaceous materials.