Statistical determination of steady state condition in bioremediation tests

Linear regression and two newly developed statistical techniques were used to determine steady states in the dependent y-variables (effluent concentration or removal rate of pollutants) using correlation coefficients (r) for the relationship between the independent x-variables (reactor operating or treatment time) and the dependent y-variables. The statistical technique applied to chlorophenol bioremediation using a varying number of data points for linear regression analysis was more useful in determining a steady state for six general data patterns from bioremediation tests than the statistical technique using a fixed number of data points for linear regression analysis.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]