6. Glossary

Dem ande chimique en oxygène (DCO); chemical oxygen demand (COD)

Quantity of O ₂ required to oxidize organic and mineral substances (in the presence of a strong oxidant) present in the effluent. It is expressed in mg _O2 · L ^–1 .

Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD); Demande biochimique en oxygène (DBO)

Quantity of O ₂ required to biologically oxidize biodegradable organic matter. It is expressed in mg _O2 · L ^–1 and is measured at 20°C and in the dark. In France, BOD ₅ is referred to as the standard 5-day...