In order to evaluate the microcystin removal efficiency of Fenton oxidation, experiments were performed to investigate the destruction of microcystin-RR (MC-RR) in water. The results indicated that the optimal process parameters were determined as follows: 1.5 mmol/L H2O2, 0.10 mmol/L Fe2+, reaction temperature 25 +/- 1 degrees C, pH 3-4 and 30 min reaction time. Under the optimal conditions, the molar ratio of MC-RR:H2O2:Fe2+ was 1: 1071:71 and the destruction efficiency of MC-RR was higher than 99%. The initial phase of destruction process followed the pseudo-first order kinetics, and the destruction mechanism was primarily facilitated by the hydroxyl radical oxidation. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.