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A river water sample is diluted 20-fold before the BOD test. Initial dissolved oxygen = 9.0 mg/L; final DO after 5 days at 20°C = 3.5 mg/L. What is the BOD of the original (undiluted) river water?

Answer: 110 mg/L.

  • A 110 mg/L
  • B 5.5 mg/L
  • C 55 mg/L
  • D 275 mg/L

Correct answer: A. 110 mg/L

Explanation: DO consumed by the diluted sample = 9.0 − 3.5 = 5.5 mg/L. Since this is the demand of the 1/20 diluted sample, the original water's BOD = 5.5 × 20 = 110 mg/L. This severely exceeds the 17 ppm threshold for very polluted water, indicating raw sewage or highly concentrated industrial effluent.

Classical (London) SmogSources: coal burningSO₂ + particulates + fogReducing typeConditions: cold, humid,early morning, winterVisibility: very low (fog)London, 1952 - ~4000 deathsHarms: eyes, lungs, bronchitisPhotochemical (LA) SmogSources: vehicles, industriesNOx + hydrocarbons + UVOxidising typeConditions: warm, sunny,afternoon, summerProducts: O₃, PAN, acroleinLos Angeles (common in cities)Harms: eyes, rubber cracking

Classical smog is a reducing mixture of SO₂ and fog, while photochemical smog is an oxidising mixture generated by UV-driven reactions of NOx and hydrocarbons.

Concept context

Understand how human activities alter the atmosphere, water, and soil. Covers air pollutants, smog types, ozone depletion, acid rain, greenhouse effect, water and soil pollution, and the principles of green chemistry.

Read the full Environmental Chemistry notes →