We report on the use of dissolved air precipitation (DAP) for bubble generation for use in solvent sublation bubble columns. Solvent sublation is a non-foaming adsorptive bubble separation distinguished by the presence of an immiscible layer on top of the water column which aids in the separation of hydrophobic compounds. The generation of very fine bubbles is necessary for effective separation. With DAP, air is saturated into water at a moderate pressure (480-820 kPa) in a packed column saturator. Then the pressure is released through a valve into the water column where the air precipitates, forming 60-100 mu m diameter bubbles. Experiments were performed in a pilot-scale semibatch bubble column using both aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons as, test compounds in a simulated produced water. With a precipitated gas flow rate of 100 ml min(-1), 95% removal of dissolved octane was achieved with 25 min treatment time, and 75% removal of micro-disperse decane was achieved in 30 min. For dissolved ethylbenzene and toluene, 40% removal was achieved in 360 min at an air delivery rate of 60 ml min(-1), and 70% removal was achieved in the same period with an air delivery rate of 200 m lmin(-1). These results are explained in terms of the physical-chemical properties and removal mechanisms, and are compared to a mathematical model of the separation process.