High BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) is bad.
Here's why:
BOD measures the amount of oxygen consumed by microorganisms as they decompose organic matter in water. A high BOD indicates a large amount of organic pollution.
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Oxygen Depletion: Higher BOD means microorganisms are consuming oxygen at a faster rate, depleting the oxygen available for aquatic life. As the reference text notes, "The greater the BOD, the more rapidly oxygen is depleted in the stream."
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Harmful Effects on Aquatic Life: Low dissolved oxygen levels stress, suffocate, and eventually kill aquatic organisms such as fish, insects, and crustaceans. This disrupts the aquatic ecosystem.
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Indicator of Pollution: High BOD is a direct indicator of pollution, often from sources such as sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial waste. This pollution can also introduce harmful pathogens and toxins into the water.
In summary, high BOD is an undesirable condition that indicates poor water quality and poses a threat to aquatic ecosystems due to oxygen depletion.
