The relative oxidative capacity of EAOPs increased in the order EO-H2O2 < EF < SPEF, with COD removals of 63%, 79% and > 95%, respectively, after 180 min of reaction. In the SPEF process, hydroxyl radicals are generated in the bulk, and additional OH- production is induced by solar radiation. In addition, the direct photolysis of complexes between Fe3+ and some organic inter-mediates led to the fastest reaction rates.