What type of test measures the concentration of organic pollutants in wastewater?

The Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) test is the correct choice for measuring the concentration of organic pollutants in wastewater. This test specifically assesses the amount of oxygen that microorganisms will consume while decomposing organic matter present in the water over a given period, typically five days at 20 degrees Celsius. Essentially, it gives an indication of the organic pollution level, as higher BOD values suggest a larger presence of biodegradable organic material.

In comparison, the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) test measures the total quantity of oxygen that is required to chemically oxidize both biodegradable and non-biodegradable organic substances in water. Therefore, while it also indicates organic pollutant levels, it includes a wider range of chemical substances compared to BOD, which focuses solely on biologically available material.

The Suspended Solids test quantifies the solid particles suspended in water, which may include organic and inorganic material but does not directly measure organic pollutants specifically.

The Nutrient Loading test evaluates the concentrations of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus but does not provide a measure of organic pollution levels in the same way that BOD does, as it focuses more on nutrient content than on organic material decomposition and its impact on oxygen consumption.

Therefore, the BOD test is the primary method for specifically