The efficiency of the UV photolysis, ozonation and their combination were compared in the decomposition of phenol using a self-devised experimental apparatus running under identical power conditions. The light source was a low-pressure mercury vapor lamp emitting at 185 nm (responsible for the formation of ozone) and 254 nm (responsible for the direct photolysis of ozone and phenol). The effect of flowrate of oxygen or air on the concentration of formed ozone in the gas phase, the effect of dissolved oxygen and pH on the transformation of phenol and formation of intermediates in aqueous solution were also investigated.