Within the framework of the destruction of refractory organics contained in a complex aqueous matrix, the advanced oxidation processes appear to be a first class technology. So this survey is dedicated to the sonolysis and the photolysis of two organics, namely the naphthol blue black (an acid azo-dye, hydrophilic, noted NBB) and the nonylphenol (a detergent, hydrophobic et volatile, noted NP), single or in competition. High frequency (278 kHz) ultrasound is found to be efficient. NBB decolorization is effective within 180 min and its mineralization reaches 23% while NP is degraded for 120 min. Different parameters were studied, such as ultrasound power, substrate concentration, pH, inorganic ions (bicarbonate and phosphate), and competitio...