A model selection procedure for stream re-aeration coefficient modelling

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Date
2015Author
Omole, David O.
Ndambuki, Julius M.
Musa, Adebola G.
Longe, Ezechiel O.
Badejo, Adekunle A.
Kupolati, Williams K.
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Model selection is finding wide applications in a lot of modelling and environmental problems. However,
applications of model selection to re-aeration coefficient studies are still limited. The current study explores the
use of model selection in re-aeration coefficient studies by combining several suggestions from numerous
authors on the interpretation of data regarding re-aeration coefficient modelling. The model selection procedure
applied in this research made use of Akaike information criteria, measures of agreement such as percent bias
(PBIAS), Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) and root mean square error (RMSE) observation Standard deviation
Ratio (RSR) and gragh analysis in selecting the best performing model. An algorithm prescribing a generic
model selection procedure was also provided. Out of ten candidates models used in this study, the O’Connor and
Dobbins (1958) model emerged as the top performing model in its application to data collected from River
Atuwara in Nigeria. The suggested process could save software and model developers lots of time and resources,
which would otherwise be spent in investigating and developing new models. The procedure is also ideal in
selecting a model in situations where there is no overwhelming support for any particular model by observed
data.