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BACKGROUND: Over the past several decades methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) as additive to gasoline, intended to either boost ratings of fuel or to reduce air pollution, has been accepted worldwide. Since MTBE has high water solubility, the occurrence of fuel spills or leaks from underground storage tanks or transferring pipeline has led to the contamination of natural waters. In this study the degradation of aqueous MTBE at relatively high concentrations was investigated by a UV-visible/ZnO/H 2 O 2 photocatalytic process. The effects of important operational parameters such as pH, amount of H 2 O 2 , catalyst loading and irradiation time were also investigated. Concentration of MTBE and intermediates such as tert-butyl formate and tert-butyl alcohol were measured.