Simultaneously removing SO2, NO and Hg-0 from flue gas was examined by ferrate (VI) solution at a bubbling reactor. The removal efficiencies of 100% for SO2, 64.8% for NO and 81.4% for Hg-0 were achieved respectively, under the optimum experimental conditions, in which concentration of ferrate (VI) solution was 0.25 mmol/L, solution pH was 8.0, flue gas flow rate was 1 L/min and reaction temperature was 320 K. Based on the discussions of the ferrate (VI) solution characteristics, the' comparisons of the standard electrode potential (E-0) of ferrate (VI) solution with E-0 values of reactant, and the analysis of the reaction products, a mechanism of simultaneous removal was proposed. In the process of simultaneous removal, FeO42- and HFeO4- as the dominant species of ferrate (VI), could rapidly oxidize SO2, NO, and Hg-0 into SO42-, NO3- and Hg2+. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.