Comparison of BOD, COD, TOC and DOC as the Indicator of Organic Matter Pollution of Agricultural Surface Water in Gyeongnam Province

Abstract

This survey was conducted to obtain basic data about organic matter such as BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand), COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), DOC (Dissolved Organic Carbon) and TOC (Total Organic Carbon) in agricultural water in Gyeongnam province. BOD and COD are currently used for water quality indices, but adoption of TOC is being suggested. The surface water samples were collected at 39 locations in Gyeongnam province in April, July and October. Average concentrations of BOD, COD, DOC and TOC were 1.6, 3.3, 5.3 and 5.7 mg L -1 , respectively. In July, average concentrations of BOD and COD were 2.4 and 3.9 mg L -1 , respectively, showing these values were higher than other months. Average concentrations of TOC in April, July and October were 4.8, 7.4 and 4.8 mg L -1 , respectively. This suggested that the highest value of TOC was in July. Average decomposition efficiencies for BOD-C/TOC and COD-C/TOC were 11.4 and 23.9%, respectively. Correlation coefficient of TOC and DOC was higher by 0.995, whereas that of TOC and COD was lower by 0.763. Especially, TOC and DOC were highly related than others. Average of BOD, COD, DOC, TOC and their decomposition efficiencies of agricultural streams in Gyeongnam province in different months.