On determination of BOD and parameters in polluted stream models from DO measurements only

The biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) concentration, the BOD removal coefficient, and the average daily photosynthesis minus respiration term of a polluted stream model can be determined by using only measurements of the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration taken at discrete locations and the values of the remaining parameters. The mathematical model used is a modified Streeter-Phelps relationship describing the average daily DO and BOD concentrations for a polluted stream under steady state conditions. The procedure provides a least squares fit to the DO measurements and is illustrated by pertinent numerical examples.