Which industry is characterized by high BOD and COD levels?

The pulp and paper industry is characterized by high levels of Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) primarily due to the nature of the processes involved in the production of paper. During the manufacturing process, significant amounts of organic materials and pollutants are released into wastewater. These materials typically include wood fibers, chemicals used in processing, and other organic substances that result from the pulping process.

BOD is a measure of the amount of oxygen that microorganisms will consume while decomposing organic matter in water. A high BOD indicates a high level of organic pollution, which is common in the pulp and paper industry, as the discharge from these facilities contains large quantities of biodegradable materials. Similarly, COD measures the total organic matter present, including both biodegradable and non-biodegradable substances. The chemicals and residues produced during the paper manufacturing process contribute to elevated COD levels.

In contrast, while other industries like textile and petroleum may also contribute to water pollution, their specific profiles of contaminants differ considerably, and their typical BOD and COD levels are not as universally high as those found in pulp and paper. Battery manufacturing generally deals with heavy metals and chemical pollutants rather than organic matter, resulting in different wastewater characteristics. Thus, the pulp and paper industry stands out