Three polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, fluorene, phenanthrene, and acenaphthene, have been treated in water with ozone combined with hydrogen peroxide. The effect of hydrogen peroxide concentration, pH, and bicarbonate ions has been investigated. The process goes through direct and radical reactions in the case of fluorene and phenanthrene oxidation, while acenapthene is removed exclusively by direct ozonation. At concentrations of hydrogen peroxide higher than 10(-5) M, ozone mass transfer controls the process rate, regardless of pH. In any case, however, the presence of hydrogen peroxide does not improve the oxidation rate compared to ozonation alone due to the importance of the direct reactions. Intermediate compounds identified during oxidation with ozone alone and combined with UV radiation or hydrogen peroxide are similar and justify the high consumption of ozone in these processes.