Bisulfite-assisted surface Fenton-like degradation of dimethyl phthalate by ferrihydrite-H2O2 system

•Ferrihydrite-H2O2-bisulfite system can degrade dimethyl phthalate at neutral pH.•Bisulfite accelerates the redox of iron species by complexing with ferrihydrite.•Enhanced Fe(II) production promotes •OH formation in the ternary system.•Surface Fenton-like oxidation is responsible for dimethyl phthalate degradation.•Ferrihydrite-H2O2-bisulfite shows great potential for environmental remediation.