Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Mesocosm-Scale Constructed Wetland Design for Wastewater Treatment
Published on: May 2, 2025
On the fit of statistical and the k-C* models to projecting treatment performance in a constructed wetland system
A O Babatunde1, Y Q Zhao, R J Doyle
1Centre for Water Resources Research, School of Architecture, Landscape and Civil Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to assess the suitability of statistical and the k-C* models to projecting treatment performance of constructed wetlands by applying the models to predict the final effluent concentrations of a pilot field-scale constructed wetlands system (CWs) treating animal farm wastewater. The CWs achieved removal rates (in g/m(2).d) ranging from 7.1-149.8 for BOD(5), 49.8-253.8 for COD and 7.1-47.0 for NH(4)-N. Generally, it was found that the statistical models developed from multiple regression analyses (MRA) were stronger in predicting final effluent concentrations than the k-C* model. However, both models were inadequate in predicting the final effluent concentrations of NO(3)-N. The first-order area-based removal rate constants (k, m/yr) determined from the experimental data were 200.5 for BOD(5), 80.1 for TP and 173.8 for NH(4)-N and these indicate a high rate of pollutant removal within the CWs.
Related Concept Videos
Typical Model Studies
Microbial Wastewater Treatment
Biological Treatment of Effluent and Waste Water
Methods of Medium Optimization
Mechanistic Models: Compartment Models in Individual and Population Analysis
Design Example: Creating a Hydraulic Model of a Dam Spillway

