A novel bacterium, Ochrobactrum sp. T, capable of simultaneous debromination and aerobic mineralization of tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA), was isolated from a sludge sample collected from an electronic-waste recycling site. The bacterium exhibited maximal debrominase activity at pH 6.5, 35 degrees C, and 200 rpm in Luria-Bertani culture medium. Initial TBBPA concentration and pH had more significant effects on degradation efficiency than those of temperature and inoculum size. Degradation and debromination efficiencies of 91.8% and 86.7%, respectively, were achieved within. 72 h under optimized conditions of 35 degrees C, pH 7.0, inoculum volume of 25 mL, and TBBPA concentration of 3 mg L(-1). In addition, a 35.6% decrease in total organic carbon was observed after the degradation of 5 mg L(-1) TBBPA for 120 h. Eight metabolic intermediates were identified during the biodegradation of TBBPA. This study is the first report to propose a one-step process for TBBPA debromination and mineralization by a single bacterial strain. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.