Effects of ozone pre-treatment on diclofenac: intermediates, biodegradability and toxicity assessment.

Diclofenac (DCF), a common analgesic, anti-arthritic and anti-rheumatic drug, is one of the most frequently detected compounds in water. This study deals with the degradation of diclofenac in aqueous solution by ozonation. Biodegradability (BOD(5)/COD ratio and Zahn-Wellens test), acute ecotoxicity and inhibition of activated sludge activity were determined in ozonated and non-ozonated samples.