ABSTRACT
The molecular ozone reactions are extremely selective and limited to unsaturated aromatic and aliphatic compounds as well as to specific functional groups. The stability of dissolved ozone is readily affected by pH, ultraviolet light, ozone concentration, and the concentration of radical scavengers. The presence of bicarbonates in the water may, therefore, actually inhibit the free-radical reaction chain, hence slowing down decomposition of ozone in the water. The reaction of ozone with inorganic compounds found in water generally follows a first-order kinetic law with respect to both ozone and the oxidizable compound. In the drinking water treatment process, ozone may react with dissolved organic micropollutants. The treatment of drinking water, for example, chlorination and ozonation, can also generate such micropollutants as trihalomethanes. A study of ozone effects on cell constituents is very complicated, even in the case of in vitro studies. Natural waters contain varying concentrations of numerous organic and inorganic natural compounds.
