The oxidative decolourization and mineralization of three reactive dyes in separately prepared aqueous solutions C.I. Reactive Yellow 3 (RY3), C.I. Reactive Blue 2 (RB2) and C.I. Reactive Violet 2 (RV2) by using homogeneous and heterogeneous Fenton and UV/Fenton processes have been investigated. The effects of H2O2, Fe2+ and Fe-0 concentrations, Fe2+/H2O2 and Fe-0/H2O2 molar ratios at pH 3 and T = 23 +/- 1 degrees C have been studied. Optimal operational conditions for the efficient degradation of all three dye solutions (100 mg L-1) were found to be Fe2+/H2O2 = 0.5 mM/20 mM and Fe-0/H2O2 = 2 mM/1 mM. The experimental results showed that the homogeneous Fenton process employing UV irradiation was the most effective. By using this process, the high levels of mineralization (78-84%) and decolourization (95-100%) were achieved. Pseudo-first-order degradation rate constants were obtained from the batch experimental data. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.