Abstract: Removing phosphorus from water through adsorption is highly efficient with low energy consumption. In this article, the characteristics of adsorbents and the adsorption mechanisms of metal oxides, clay mineral, and activated carbon are introduced. The effects of reaction temperature, reaction time, pH value, and coexisting ions on the adsorption process of mineral clay and iron zirconium compounds are expounded: reaction temperature mainly affects the molecular heat movement, which further affects the adsorption effect; a certain reaction time is always needed to reach the optimum effect; pH value mainly has an influence on ion concentration, ion type and ion reaction; coexisting ions could improve the Coulomb force and the competitiveness of phosphate’s active site. Moreover, the effects of adsorbent amount, phosphorus’ initial concentration, electrolyte and adsorbent’s particle size on the phosphorus adsorption are also described. Modified materials and composite materials are research focuses in the future.

Key words: mineral clay, iron oxides, zirconium iron compounds, adsorption, phosphate