GS PrelimsEnvironmentWater Pollution2017

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a standard criterion for

A

Measuring oxygen levels in blood

B

Computing oxygen levels in forest ecosystems

C

Pollution assay in aquatic ecosystems

D

Assessing oxygen levels in high altitude regions

Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation

1. Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) refers to the amount of dissolved oxygen required by aerobic biological organisms to break down organic material present in a water body. 2. A higher BOD value indicates that more oxygen is consumed by microbial decomposition, which implies a higher level of organic pollution. 3. Therefore, BOD serves as a standard criterion for measuring the degree of organic pollution in aquatic ecosystems. It is a key parameter in water quality assessment and acts as a pollution assay. 4. Option (A) is incorrect; oxygen levels in blood are measured using different methods. 5. Option (B) is incorrect; BOD is specific to water bodies, not forest ecosystems. 6. Option (D) is incorrect; assessing oxygen levels in high altitude regions relates to atmospheric conditions, not BOD in water.

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