Triphenyltin (TPT) is an endocrine disruptor highly toxic to non-target organisms, and has contaminated the environment worldwide. To accelerate TPT elimination, the study on the behavior and mechanism of TPT biosorption and biodegradation by Brevibacillus brevis was conducted. The results revealed that TPT and coexisted Cu2+, Cd2+, Pb2+ and Zn2+ in solution could be adsorbed effectively by B. brevis, and TPT was further transformed to diphenyltin, monophenyltin and tin intracellularly. The removal efficiency of 0.5 mg L-1 TPT after degradation by 0.3 g L-1 biomass for 5 d was about 60%. Suitable kinds and levels of oxygen, nutrient, surfactant and metals obviously improved TPT biodegradation. When concentrations of H2O2, glucose, rhamnolipid, Cu2+ and Zn2+ varied from 1.5 to 6 mmol L-1, 0.5 to 5 mg L-1, 5 to 25 mg L-1, 0.5 to 6 mg L-1 and 0.5 to 1 mg L-1, separately, TPT biodegradation efficiencies increased 15-25%. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.