AOPs have showed considerable potential in the purification and treatment of water, especially for the removal of naturally occurring toxins, emerging pollutants, pesticides, and other harmful substances. It entails the generation of sufficient hydroxyl radicals to affect water purification. In a water treatment, the AOPs can significantly increase the breakdown of mono-ethanolamine (MEA), a recalcitrant pollutant with a main amine group. This research examines innovative AOPs for the treatment of MEA in the aqueous phase in depth. This paper gives a systematic assessment of MEA degradation mechanisms and pathways, as well as a complete examination of process parameters that influence degradation rate, such as pH, temperature, and MEA doses. Ozonation, UV, Fenton, and Plasma treatments, as well as hybrid processes such as per-oxone processes, catalytic ozonation, UV/Ozonation, UV/catalysis, UV/chlorination, and photo-Fenton processes, have all recently been reported as AOPs for MEA degradation. This review would also aid researchers in gaining a better understanding of critical operating parameters and laying the groundwork for the development of commercially viable solutions. Finally, this study concludes with some challenges and a brief assessment of future developments in this field of research. © 2022 Elsevier Ltd.