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Bioconcentration Factor BCF

Environmental Engineering · FE Reference Handbook section

Environmental Engineering
3 formulas
10 exam-style examples
~51 min
All Environmental Engineering lectures

Handbook notes for this section

Definitions and conditions exactly as the handbook states them.

  • The amount of a chemical to accumulate in aquatic organisms.

Core formulas for this FE topic

Definitions, applicability, units, assumptions and worked examples for each relation.

Worked exam-style examples

The four ways this section is written on the real exam — thoughts first, then equations, then substitution.

Example 1
Steady-state mass balance — solve for blended concentration — Bioconcentration Factor BCF

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 1.0000 MGD; concentration 1 (C1) = 32.0000 mg/L; flow 2 (Q2) = 9.0000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 44.5000 mg/L, determine the blended concentration (C) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=1.0000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 1.0000 MGD
  • concentration1(C1)=32.0000mg/Lconcentration 1 (C_{1}) = 32.0000 mg/L
  • flow2(Q2)=9.0000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 9.0000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=44.5000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 44.5000 mg/L

Find

blended concentration (C), in mg/L

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Steady-state mass balance.
  • Everything except C is given, so isolate C symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Environmental Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that C stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: flow 1 (Q1) = 1.0000 MGD, concentration 1 (C1) = 32.0000 mg/L, flow 2 (Q2) = 9.0000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 44.5000 mg/L.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C=43.2500 mg/LC = 43.2500\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C = 43.2500 mg/L to

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
C=43.2500 mg/LC = 43.2500\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 86.5000 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 21.6250 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 47.5750 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Bioconcentration Factor BCF

Example 2
Steady-state mass balance — solve for concentration 1 — Bioconcentration Factor BCF (2)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 12.5000 MGD; flow 2 (Q2) = 11.0000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 27.0000 mg/L; blended concentration (C) = 19.9600 mg/L, determine the concentration 1 (C1) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=12.5000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 12.5000 MGD
  • flow2(Q2)=11.0000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 11.0000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=27.0000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 27.0000 mg/L
  • blendedconcentration(C)=19.9600mg/Lblended concentration (C) = 19.9600 mg/L

Find

concentration 1 (C1), in mg/L

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Steady-state mass balance.
  • Everything except C1 is given, so isolate C1 symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Environmental Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that C1 stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: flow 1 (Q1) = 12.5000 MGD, flow 2 (Q2) = 11.0000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 27.0000 mg/L, blended concentration (C) = 19.9600 mg/L.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C1=13.7648 mg/LC_{1} = 13.7648\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C1 = 13.7648 mg/L to

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
C1=13.7648 mg/LC_{1} = 13.7648\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 27.5296 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 6.8824 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 15.1413 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Bioconcentration Factor BCF

Example 3
Steady-state mass balance — solve for blended concentration (case 2) — Bioconcentration Factor BCF (3)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 16.5000 MGD; concentration 1 (C1) = 46.0000 mg/L; flow 2 (Q2) = 14.0000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 9.0000 mg/L, determine the blended concentration (C) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=16.5000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 16.5000 MGD
  • concentration1(C1)=46.0000mg/Lconcentration 1 (C_{1}) = 46.0000 mg/L
  • flow2(Q2)=14.0000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 14.0000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=9.0000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 9.0000 mg/L

Find

blended concentration (C), in mg/L

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Steady-state mass balance.
  • Everything except C is given, so isolate C symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Environmental Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that C stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: flow 1 (Q1) = 16.5000 MGD, concentration 1 (C1) = 46.0000 mg/L, flow 2 (Q2) = 14.0000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 9.0000 mg/L.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C=29.0164 mg/LC = 29.0164\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C = 29.0164 mg/L to

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
C=29.0164 mg/LC = 29.0164\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 58.0328 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 14.5082 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 31.9180 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Bioconcentration Factor BCF

Example 4
Steady-state mass balance — solve for concentration 1 (case 2) — Bioconcentration Factor BCF (4)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 20.0000 MGD; flow 2 (Q2) = 1.0000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 6.0000 mg/L; blended concentration (C) = 25.2900 mg/L, determine the concentration 1 (C1) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=20.0000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 20.0000 MGD
  • flow2(Q2)=1.0000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 1.0000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=6.0000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 6.0000 mg/L
  • blendedconcentration(C)=25.2900mg/Lblended concentration (C) = 25.2900 mg/L

Find

concentration 1 (C1), in mg/L

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Steady-state mass balance.
  • Everything except C1 is given, so isolate C1 symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Environmental Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that C1 stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: flow 1 (Q1) = 20.0000 MGD, flow 2 (Q2) = 1.0000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 6.0000 mg/L, blended concentration (C) = 25.2900 mg/L.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C1=26.2545 mg/LC_{1} = 26.2545\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C1 = 26.2545 mg/L to

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
C1=26.2545 mg/LC_{1} = 26.2545\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 52.5090 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 13.1273 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 28.8800 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Bioconcentration Factor BCF

Example 5
Steady-state mass balance — solve for blended concentration (case 3) — Bioconcentration Factor BCF (5)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 9.5000 MGD; concentration 1 (C1) = 43.5000 mg/L; flow 2 (Q2) = 15.5000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 35.5000 mg/L, determine the blended concentration (C) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=9.5000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 9.5000 MGD
  • concentration1(C1)=43.5000mg/Lconcentration 1 (C_{1}) = 43.5000 mg/L
  • flow2(Q2)=15.5000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 15.5000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=35.5000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 35.5000 mg/L

Find

blended concentration (C), in mg/L

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Steady-state mass balance.
  • Everything except C is given, so isolate C symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Environmental Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that C stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: flow 1 (Q1) = 9.5000 MGD, concentration 1 (C1) = 43.5000 mg/L, flow 2 (Q2) = 15.5000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 35.5000 mg/L.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C=38.5400 mg/LC = 38.5400\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C = 38.5400 mg/L to

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
C=38.5400 mg/LC = 38.5400\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 77.0800 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 19.2700 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 42.3940 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Bioconcentration Factor BCF

Example 6
Steady-state mass balance — solve for concentration 1 (case 3) — Bioconcentration Factor BCF (6)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 3.0000 MGD; flow 2 (Q2) = 7.0000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 41.5000 mg/L; blended concentration (C) = 34.8900 mg/L, determine the concentration 1 (C1) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=3.0000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 3.0000 MGD
  • flow2(Q2)=7.0000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 7.0000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=41.5000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 41.5000 mg/L
  • blendedconcentration(C)=34.8900mg/Lblended concentration (C) = 34.8900 mg/L

Find

concentration 1 (C1), in mg/L

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Steady-state mass balance.
  • Everything except C1 is given, so isolate C1 symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Environmental Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that C1 stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: flow 1 (Q1) = 3.0000 MGD, flow 2 (Q2) = 7.0000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 41.5000 mg/L, blended concentration (C) = 34.8900 mg/L.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C1=19.4667 mg/LC_{1} = 19.4667\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C1 = 19.4667 mg/L to

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
C1=19.4667 mg/LC_{1} = 19.4667\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 38.9333 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 9.7333 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 21.4133 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Bioconcentration Factor BCF

Example 7
Steady-state mass balance — solve for blended concentration (case 4) — Bioconcentration Factor BCF (7)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 13.5000 MGD; concentration 1 (C1) = 12.5000 mg/L; flow 2 (Q2) = 10.0000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 44.0000 mg/L, determine the blended concentration (C) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=13.5000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 13.5000 MGD
  • concentration1(C1)=12.5000mg/Lconcentration 1 (C_{1}) = 12.5000 mg/L
  • flow2(Q2)=10.0000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 10.0000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=44.0000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 44.0000 mg/L

Find

blended concentration (C), in mg/L

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Steady-state mass balance.
  • Everything except C is given, so isolate C symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Environmental Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that C stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: flow 1 (Q1) = 13.5000 MGD, concentration 1 (C1) = 12.5000 mg/L, flow 2 (Q2) = 10.0000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 44.0000 mg/L.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C=25.9043 mg/LC = 25.9043\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C = 25.9043 mg/L to

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
C=25.9043 mg/LC = 25.9043\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 51.8085 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 12.9521 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 28.4947 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Bioconcentration Factor BCF

Example 8
Steady-state mass balance — solve for concentration 1 (case 4) — Bioconcentration Factor BCF (8)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 7.0000 MGD; flow 2 (Q2) = 3.0000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 44.5000 mg/L; blended concentration (C) = 26.3300 mg/L, determine the concentration 1 (C1) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=7.0000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 7.0000 MGD
  • flow2(Q2)=3.0000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 3.0000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=44.5000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 44.5000 mg/L
  • blendedconcentration(C)=26.3300mg/Lblended concentration (C) = 26.3300 mg/L

Find

concentration 1 (C1), in mg/L

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Steady-state mass balance.
  • Everything except C1 is given, so isolate C1 symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Environmental Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that C1 stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: flow 1 (Q1) = 7.0000 MGD, flow 2 (Q2) = 3.0000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 44.5000 mg/L, blended concentration (C) = 26.3300 mg/L.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C1=18.5429 mg/LC_{1} = 18.5429\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C1 = 18.5429 mg/L to

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
C1=18.5429 mg/LC_{1} = 18.5429\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 37.0857 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 9.2714 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 20.3971 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Bioconcentration Factor BCF

Example 9
Steady-state mass balance — solve for blended concentration (case 5) — Bioconcentration Factor BCF (9)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 13.5000 MGD; concentration 1 (C1) = 38.0000 mg/L; flow 2 (Q2) = 9.0000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 20.0000 mg/L, determine the blended concentration (C) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=13.5000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 13.5000 MGD
  • concentration1(C1)=38.0000mg/Lconcentration 1 (C_{1}) = 38.0000 mg/L
  • flow2(Q2)=9.0000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 9.0000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=20.0000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 20.0000 mg/L

Find

blended concentration (C), in mg/L

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Steady-state mass balance.
  • Everything except C is given, so isolate C symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Environmental Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that C stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: flow 1 (Q1) = 13.5000 MGD, concentration 1 (C1) = 38.0000 mg/L, flow 2 (Q2) = 9.0000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 20.0000 mg/L.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C=30.8000 mg/LC = 30.8000\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C = 30.8000 mg/L to

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
C=30.8000 mg/LC = 30.8000\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 61.6000 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 15.4000 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 33.8800 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Bioconcentration Factor BCF

Example 10
Steady-state mass balance — solve for concentration 1 (case 5) — Bioconcentration Factor BCF (10)

A environmental engineering problem uses Steady-state mass balance. Given flow 1 (Q1) = 4.5000 MGD; flow 2 (Q2) = 12.0000 MGD; concentration 2 (C2) = 39.5000 mg/L; blended concentration (C) = 49.8700 mg/L, determine the concentration 1 (C1) in mg/L.

Given

  • flow1(Q1)=4.5000MGDflow 1 (Q_{1}) = 4.5000 MGD
  • flow2(Q2)=12.0000MGDflow 2 (Q_{2}) = 12.0000 MGD
  • concentration2(C2)=39.5000mg/Lconcentration 2 (C_{2}) = 39.5000 mg/L
  • blendedconcentration(C)=49.8700mg/Lblended concentration (C) = 49.8700 mg/L

Find

concentration 1 (C1), in mg/L

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Steady-state mass balance.
  • Everything except C1 is given, so isolate C1 symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Environmental Engineering items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that C1 stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: flow 1 (Q1) = 4.5000 MGD, flow 2 (Q2) = 12.0000 MGD, concentration 2 (C2) = 39.5000 mg/L, blended concentration (C) = 49.8700 mg/L.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C1=77.5233 mg/LC_{1} = 77.5233\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C1 = 77.5233 mg/L to

    C=(Q1C1+Q2C2)/(Q1+Q2)C = (Q_1 C_1 + Q_2 C_2) / (Q_1 + Q_2)

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
C1=77.5233 mg/LC_{1} = 77.5233\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 155.0 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 38.7617 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 85.2757 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Environmental Engineering → Bioconcentration Factor BCF

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