Disinfection of Seawater: Application of UV and Ozone

Ozone and ultraviolet technologies are proposed as potential disinfecting agents for seawater. Ozone doses were applied in the range 0.38 to 4.89 mg O3 L-1. They permit to observe a complete disinfection as well as UV doses superior to 320 J L-1. Impacts of both processes on organic matter were also studied. UV absorbances were reduced in both cases but in higher proportion using ozone (up to 50% removal). Total organic carbon was slightly reduced by UV radiation, and ozonation achieves up to 10% mineralization. Ozone reaction proceeds with biochemical oxygen demand increase. Seawater ozonation, in addition, leads to the formation of residual oxidants that show an inhibitory effect on autochthonous microorganisms.