Why is seeding of BOD samples necessary?

Study for the Texas Wastewater Class A Exam. Enjoy flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your exam!

Seeding of BOD samples is essential primarily to ensure accuracy when chlorine is present or when samples have been chlorinated. When wastewater is treated with chlorine, it can kill or inhibit the growth of the bacteria that are necessary for biological oxygen demand (BOD) testing. BOD measures the amount of oxygen consumed by microorganisms while decomposing organic matter. Therefore, seeding introduces a known quantity of live bacteria into the sample, which helps to restore microbial activity and allows for a more accurate measure of the BOD.

This practice is particularly critical in chlorinated samples because the chlorine residual can affect the natural bacterial populations. If bacteria are not present or their activity is compromised, the BOD results will not accurately reflect the organic strength of the sample being tested. Consequently, seeding is a vital step to ensure integrity and consistency in the BOD measurement, especially under conditions where chlorine has impacted the sample's biological activity.

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