In this paper, an integrated approach, the pulsed corona discharge plasma combined with granular activated carbon (PCDP/GAC), is used for the simultaneous removal of cadmium ions (Cd2+) and phenol in wastewater. Experimental results show that 69.0% Cd2+ and 87.3% phenol can be simultaneously removed from the PCDP/GAC treatment system after 60 mm. This removal efficiency is 27.2% and 11.4% higher than in the GAC adsorption system, respectively, and 65.8% and 60.6% higher than in the PCDP treatment system, respectively. An increasing pulsed voltage is favorable for removal of Cd2+ and phenol. The removal efficiency of Cd2+ and phenol is the highest with oxygen as the feeding gas. At the same input power and an increasing initial phenol concentration, the removal efficiency of Cd2+ and phenol decreases. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy show that Cd2+ amount produced on GAC by the discharge treatment in the PCDP/GAC system is higher than that in the GAC adsorption system. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy shows that O-H, C-H, and C=C bonds on GAC are cleaved, whereas Ar-O-C and C=O groups increase during the PCDP treatment. A possible removal mechanism of Cd2+ and phenol in such a system is proposed. Crown Copyright (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.