The fates of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in an industrial wastewater activated sludge system were investigated in a 4-day sampling and analysis program. The system included an aerated lagoon which was covered by an inflated synthetic dome and had a carbon adsorption unit to reduce the emissions of odorous organic compounds. Samples of air, water and sludge streams associated with the activated sludge system were collected, along with air samples at the inlet and outlet of the carbon adsorber. These samples were analyzed to determine the concentrations of individual organic constituents. The effectiveness of the dome and carbon adsorption unit in reducing lagoon emissions of volatile organic compounds was investigated, as was the applicability of the Thibodeaux, Parker and Heck model for predicting lagoon emissions. Approximate percentages of removal of VOC by biodegradation, adsorption and volatilization in the aerated lagoon were determined.