Prediction of the removal efficiency of emerging organic contaminants based on design and operational parameters of constructed wetlands

This study investigates the prediction of removal efficiency pharmaceuticals (PhCs), personal care products (PCPs), and steroidal hormones (SHs) based on design operational parameters (depth, area, hydraulic loading rate-HLR, organic rate-OLR, retention time-HRT) constructed wetlands (CWs). A comprehensive statistical analysis was performed by applying principle component analysis, correlation multiple linear regression analyses. The data used in this compiled from peer reviewed publications. CWs are good predictors these emerging contaminants. Operational (HLR, OLR, HRT) most significant predicators combination with (depth area) often improved reliability predictions. best predictive models for PhCs PCPs were composed depth, HRT (root mean square errors-RMSEs: training set: 7–14 %; test 22–27 %). HLR, OLR formed a credible model predicting SHs (RMSEs: 6 11 Similarly, generic combining PCPs, SHs, PhCs, showed acceptable performance. performing combined 13 22 information obtained use may guide researchers, practitioners, policy makers, citizens enhancing knowledge understanding operation field conditions.