Abstract
This work shows the results for the first time of calibrating and validating a mathematical model, capable of predicting the amounts of O3 and O2 necessary to reduce pollution levels in a lake based on the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5), Total nitrogen (TN), Total phosphorus (TP) and Fecal coliforms (FC) concentrations. The model was designed to treat a natural or artificial lake as though it were an aerated lagoon operating as an idealized Continuous flow complete-mix reactor. The O3 yield constant for eliminating the non-biodegradable fraction of COD and for deactivating fecal coliforms were laboratory derived and calibrated with field values. Based on the field parameters, the model accurately predicted a reduction in BOD5, COD, TN, TP and FC of 53 %, 51 %, 39 %, 42 % and 98 %, respectively. The model proved to be effective in predicting O2 and O3 demand and time of recovery of a polluted water body.