Ozonation of a Complex Industrial Effluent: Oxidation of Organic Pollutants and Removal of Toxicity

This work deals with the ozonation of a chemical industry wastewater, which contains many complex organic pollutants and presents high chloride content and toxicity. Batch experiments were carried out until ozone absorption reached 0.1 to 3 gO₃/L. Ozonation promoted low to moderate levels of organic matter removal even when high ozone doses were applied. Organic matter removal tended to decrease when chloride content increased. Toxicity removal increased with the ozone dose up to 0.5 gO₃/L. High or complete toxicity removal was attained after ozonation of the wastewater samples. Ozonation was also very effective in removing the polycyclic aromatic compounds found in the wastewater.