The Use of Ozone to Oxygenate Water

Water may be oxygenated (have a higher level of dissolved O2) by the diffusion of gaseous oxygen through it. Temperature and air pressure affect the amount of dissolved oxygen (DO) in water, so bottled oxygenated water often delivers a "burp" of escaping oxygen when opened. Some producers of oxygenated water claim that their products enhance sports performance or health.

Ozonation

• Diffusing ozone (usually a gas mixture of 3 to 5 percent ozone and 95 percent oxygen) through raw water is a popular disinfecting step in water treatment plants throughout the world. It is more effective than chlorine, and it oxidizes minerals out of water.

  Ozone (O3) breaks down into oxygen (O2) in a short time (half-life of less than 30 minutes), and dissolved ozone content in water boosts the dissolved oxygen level as it decomposes.

Oxygenating Water

• Whether ozone, high-purity oxygen or simple compressed air is used, diffusing (bubbling) oxygen through water adds to the level of dissolved oxygen in that water, oxygenating it.

  Compressed air is commonly used to raise the levels of dissolved oxygen in lakes and rivers where low DO levels threaten to harm marine life.

Ozonation as Oxygenation

• Ozonation disinfects raw water, so it is not advisable as the method to boost dissolved oxygen in lakes and rivers.

  Ozonation for drinking water has disinfecting and mineral oxidation benefits in and of itself. Increasing the level of dissolved oxygen in drinking water has no health benefits for human consumption and should not be used as the reason for adding this expensive and complex process.