Phosphorus removal is one of the most difficult issues to be achieved in natural wastewater treatment systems according to the opinion of many researchers. There is currently no established design to increase phosphorus removal in waste stabilization ponds (WSPs). This occurs because there are no mechanisms for the complete phosphorus removal by WSPs systems or wetlands. These removal mechanisms depend on the phosphorus form in the sewage. The present paper exa-mines the phosphorus removal kinetics presented in three full-scale WSP systems in Greece. The investigated WSP systems consist of one facultative pond, one or two maturation ponds in series and a limestone rock filter before the final discharge. The systems treat municipal wastewater and were monitored for a year for this work proposes. Their average mass removal efficiency ranged from 16 to 43. The kinetic constants of phosphorus removal were determined based on the first order kinetic model, the Stover-Kincannon model, the Grau second order kinetic model, the Kadlec and Knight model and the Reed model were used. The models’ assessment, as well as the accuracy and reliability of the results are evaluated by comparison with existing real data. Furthermore, the model models better representing total phosphorus kinetic in the WSP systems is determined. The factors influencing the kinetics are also examined. Reed model correlates the best. The biodegradation rate constant (kTP) of TP ranges from 0.0030 to 0.0146 md-1. The 1st order kinetic model applied to wetlands also gives very good results. According to this model the biodegradation rate constant ranges from 0.0116 d'1 to 0.0392 d'1. The estimated parameters can effectively be applied in sizing WSPs under Mediterranean or similar climatic conditions. The constant kTP has a strong positive correlation with the removal of TSS.
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