Ozone oxidation for the alleviation of membrane fouling by natural organic matter: A review

Abstract

Membrane fouling by natural organic matter is one of the main problems that slow down the application of membrane technology in water treatment. O(3) is able to efficiently change the physico-chemical characteristics of natural organic matter in order to reduce membrane fouling. This paper presents the state-of-the-art knowledge of the reaction mechanisms between natural organic matter and molecular O(3) or *OH radicals, together with an in-depth discussion of the interactions between natural organic matter and membranes that govern membrane fouling, inclusive the effect of O(3) oxidation on it.