Thallium (Tl) removal from wastewater using a ferrous iron-persulfate (Fe2+-S2O82-) Fenton-like system was investigated. Factors influencing Tl removal, namely S2O82- dosage, Fe2(+)S(2)O(8)(2) molar ratio, reaction pH, coagulation pH, co-existing metal ions, co-existing organic matter, and initial Tl concentration, were examined. The results show that Tl removal efficiency increased with increasing S2O82- dosage. Effective Tl removal (>96%) was achieved when the Fe-2(+)/S2O82- molar ratio was higher than 1:1. The reaction pH had little effect on Tl removal, while the coagulation pH significantly affected it. Coagulation pH exceeded 10 was favorable to Tl removal (>96%). Tl removal efficiency was reduced by about 30% when the concentration of co-existing organic matter was higher than 100 mmol/L. More than 90% of Tl was removed when the initial Tl concentration increased from 20 mu M to 150 mu M. Based on the SEM-EDS, XPS and FT-IR spectroscopic analyses, it is concluded that the absorption of colloidal ferric hydroxide and the oxidative precipitation of the Fe-2(+)-S2O82- system are the main mechanisms for the removal of Tl. Given the excellent Tl removal and stable performance, the Fe-2(+)-S2O82- system could be an effective and promising alternative for Tl removal from wastewater. (C) 2018 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.