Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Biology

Chapter

Microbes in Human Welfare

Question:

If sewage water is added to river water, it will:

Options:

Increase the BOD of sewage water

Increase the BOD of river water

Decrease the BOD of river water

Not affect the BOD of river water and sewage water

Correct Answer:

Increase the BOD of river water

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (2) → Increase the BOD of river water

BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) is the amount of dissolved oxygen needed by aerobic biological organisms to break down organic matter in water.

  • Sewage water is rich in organic pollutants (like human waste, food residues, etc.), which increases the oxygen demand when microbes start decomposing this matter.
  • When sewage is added to river water, the organic load of the river increases.
  • As a result, the BOD of the river water increases, because more oxygen is now required to decompose the added organic matter.
  • So: BOD of the river water increases.