ISO 9888:1999
Water quality - Evaluation of ultimate aerobic biodegradability of organic compounds in aqueous medium - Static test (Zahn-Wellens method)

Standard No.

ISO 9888:1999

Release Date

1999

Published By

International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

Latest

ISO 9888:1999

Scope

This International Standard specifies a method for the evaluation in aqueous medium of the ultimate biodegradability and, as additional information, the primary biodegradability and the total elimination from water, of organic compounds at a given concentration by aerobic microorganisms. The conditions described in this International Standard normally correspond to optimal conditions for allowing the maximum value of biodegradation to occur with the chosen inoculum in the test time. These conditions may even be more favourable than in full-scale wastewater treatment plants, especially if their hydraulic retention time, sludge age or the adaptation of the activated sludge is not optimal. The method applies to organic compounds which are a) water-soluble at the concentration used under the test conditions and not expected to be transformed to insoluble metabolites if biodegradation and not elimination only shall be determined; b) nonvolatile, or which have a negligible vapour pressure under the test conditions; c) not lost by foaming from the test solution; d) not inhibitory to the test microorganisms at the concentration chosen for the test. Inhibitory effects can be determined using a suitable test method (e.g. see ISO 8192). If the test compound is toxic, the test concentration must be lowered, or a pre-exposed inoculum can be used. This International Standard is also applicable to the measurement of biodegradation and elimination of dissolved organic compounds in wastewater (also called "test compound" in the method). NOTE If more information is required to predict the behaviour of test compounds or wastewater in a treatment plant, a simulation test (e.g. the activated sludge simulation test ISO 11733) should be performed. For appropriate use of this method and for alternative biodegradation methods, see ISO 15462.

ISO 9888:1999 Referenced Document

• ISO 6060:1989 Water quality; determination of the chemical oxygen demand
• ISO 8245 Water quality - Guidelines for the determination of total organic carbon (TOC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC)

ISO 9888:1999 history

• 1999 ISO 9888:1999 Water quality - Evaluation of ultimate aerobic biodegradability of organic compounds in aqueous medium - Static test (Zahn-Wellens method)
• 1991 ISO 9888:1991 Water quality — Evaluation of the aerobic biodegradability of organic compounds in an aqueous medium — Static test (Zahn-Wellens method)