This work investigates the feasibility of ozonation for destroying phenol and removing organic matter in saline media. The reaction lumped kinetics was followed using the GLKM (General Lumped Kinetic Model). The main intermediate compounds were: catechol, hydroquinone, 4,4'-dihydroxybiphenyl, and 4-bromophenol. It could be noted no significant differences in phenol degradation, mineralization rates, and toxicity removal up to 2 g L-1 of salt. So, ozonation appears to be a technology that can be used in low salinity media, which is characteristic of waters destined to reuse and recycling programs inside industries. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.