In this study, the application of sodium percarbonate (SPC) catalyzed by various chelated-Fe(II) to stimulate the degradation of benzene in groundwater remediation was investigated. Effective oxidation of benzene was achieved in CIT/SPC/Fe(II) and OA/SPC/Fe(II) systems. The reaction mechanism for benzene degradation in CIT/SPC/Fe(II) and OA/SPC/Fe(II) systems was elucidated by free radical probe compound tests, free radical scavenger tests and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis. And hydroxyl radical (HOP) and superoxide anion radical (O-2(center dot-)) were confirmed as the predominant species responsible for benzene degradation. Besides, the effects of various factors, such as the solution characteristics including the presence of anions (Cl-, HCO3-, SO42- and NO3-), natural organic materials (NOM), and the initial solution pH on benzene degradation were also evaluated. The influences caused by SO42-, NO3-, Cl- and NOM were negligible, but HCO3- anion had a slightly inhibitive effect in low concentration (1 mM) and an apparently inhibitive effect in high concentration (10-100 mM). However, the additions of CIT and OA eliminated the adverse influence of HCO3- and ensured a high benzene degradation efficiency at wider pH range. Finally, results obtained in actual groundwater test strongly demonstrated that Fe(II)-CIT and Fe(II)-OA catalyzed SPC systems are applicable for the remediation of benzene-contaminated groundwater in practice. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.