The feasibility of removing estrogens including 17 beta-estradiol (E2) and 17 alpha-ethynyl-estradiol (EE2) was studied in a bio-electro-Fenton (BEF) system equipped with a Fe@Fe2O3/non-catalyzed carbon felt (NCF) composite cathode. E2 and EE2 were removed by reactive oxidants, produced by bio-electro-Fenton system and zero-valent iron/O-2 system, as well as adsorption. Under closed-circuit condition, 81% of E2 and 56% of EE2 were removed within 10 h in the system, in which the highest concentration of total iron ions and H2O2 reached 81 and 1.2 mg/L, respectively. The maximum power density of BEF system equipped with Fe@Fe2O3/NCF electrode was 4.35 W/m(3). Two intermediates of El and 6-OH-E2 were identified during Fenton oxidation of E2. This study demonstrates the degradation fate of E2 and EE2 in a BEF system equipped with Fe@Fe2O3/NCF electrodes, which provides a promising and cost-effective solution for the removal of recalcitrant contaminants with simultaneous power generation. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.