The efficiencies of different solar oxidation processes on the degradation of bisphenol A in water were studied. The work focuses on the removal and mineralization of bisphenol A and the formation of phenolic intermediates. The processes tested were Fe(III) photolysis, ferricarboxylate photolysis, TiO2 photocatalysis, H2O2 photolysis and combinations thereof. The influence of pH and the presence of hematite (alpha-Fe2O3) on their efficiency, as well as the nature of intermediates formed and development of toxicity were evaluated. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.