Determination of biodegradable dissolved organic carbon in waters with the use of UV absorptiometry

Abstract
This paper presents a modification of the method of determination of Biodegradable Dissolved Organic Carbon (BDOC) described by Joret and Levi, adapted for the survey of raw and treated wastewaters and river waters. The procedure requires two measurements of DOC (initial and final) and the monitoring of the experiment by means of UV absorptiometry. The final DOC measurement is performed when the UV spectrum of the sample no longer varies. A study of fractionation of organic matter, for a urban wastewater sample before and after the BDOC experiment, can provide comprehensive information about the different steps of the biodégradation.