High BOD of a water body indicates growth of more number of micro-organisms in water. This results in bad quality of water. Bad water quality will lead to death of aquatic creatures and hence more polluting potential. Whereas lower BOD of water body indicates less number of microorganisms in water. There is good quality of water in which aquatic life flourishes and there is less polluting potential.
The amount of oxygen required for microbial breakdown of biodegradable organic matter is called BOD.
