Biological Oxygen Demand

This is abbreviated to BOD. The amount of dissolved oxygen needed by micro-organisms to breakdown organic matter in water; low BOD equates to low organic content within a water source, indicating low pollution levels. A high BOD results in low levels of remaining dissolved oxygen which can result in the death of fish and illness or harm to other animals which consuming the water source. The decomposition of organic matter within a soil or compost heap requires oxygen for aerobic decomposition to take place. Higher demands of oxygen can typically be observed in the first 6-weeks of decomposition of fresh organic material. Maintaining a well aerated rootzone within a turfgrass situation will help to contribute to more rapid breakdown of thatch as the greater availability of oxygen can be utilised for decomposition purposes.