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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

• 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;
• nonvolatile, or which have a negligible vapour pressure under the test conditions;
• not lost by foaming from the test solution;
• 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).