ISO 11733 is an international standard testing procedure aimed at evaluating the biodegradability of organic materials (i.e., eutrophication) under settings generally mimicking a wastewater treatment plant. ISO 11733 is in contrast to the basic biodegradation measurement, it tries to simulate biological targeted processes within an activated sludge reactor, occurring in an actual wastewater treatment. Especially useful for determining the fate of an organic compound in wastewater from industrial or municipal activated sludge treatment plants. This approach provides important feedback on how much of a compound is biodegraded, adheres to sludge, and neither can get through, an invaluable resource for the assessment of environmental hazards and therefore an important tool to provide compliance with regulations.
ISO 11733 Test Method
| Test procedure | For the experiment, two parallel setups are utilized: one that has an organic medium serving as a blank control and the other that includes both the organic medium and the test substance. As the biodegradation process continues, measurements of the dissolved organic carbon or chemical oxygen demand are taken. It takes 12 weeks for the test to be completed. |
