BACKGROUND: Emerging organic contaminants include a large group of compounds that are frequently detected in wastewater along with heavy metals, due to incomplete removal or limitations in conventional and advanced treatment processes. In this work, the efficiency of Juncus acutus L. on the removal of mixed contamination; ciprofloxacin (CIP), sulfamethoxazole (SMX), bisphenol A (BPA) and heavy metals (chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn)), was investigated in a hydroponic experiment in order to evaluate its potential for use in the alternative remediation technology of constructed wetland (CW) systems. Concentrations of the compounds ranged from mu g L-1 to well beyond environmentally relevant values (50 mg L-1 for the organics and more than 1000 mg L-1 in the case of Zn and Cr). RESULTS: Antibiotics (CIP and SMX), BPA and heavy metals were efficiently removed after 28 days, without J. acutus exhibiting perceptible phytotoxicity symptoms, in concentrations even higher than those that are generally detected in industrial or hospital wastewater. Extremely high concentrations of heavymetals induced severe physiological damage to the plants. CONCLUSION: The remarkable efficiency of the halophyte J. acutus was revealed, regarding all the contaminants tested at environmentally relevant concentrations. In higher concentrations of antibiotics and mixtures of organic and inorganic contaminants, the contribution of the plant was also demonstrated. Findings from this work suggest that J. acutus plants are an ideal candidate for phytoremediation applications in CW systems, targeting urban, industrial or pharmaceutical wastewater treatment. (C) 2016 Society of Chemical Industry