Comparatively investigated the different effects of Fe-2(SO4)(3) coagulation-filtration and FeCl3 coagulation-filtration on the removal of Mo (VI). And the influence of calcium, sulfate, silicate, phosphate and humic acid (HA) were also studied. The following conclusions can be obtained: (1) compared with the case of FeCl3, Fez (SO4)(3) showed a higher Mo (VI) removal efficiency at pH 4.00-5.00, but an equal removal efficiency at pH 6.00-9.00. (2) The optimum Mo (VI) removal by Fe-2(SO4)(3) was achieved at pH 5.00-6.00; (3) The presence of calcium can reduce the removal of Mo (VI) over the entire pH range in the present study; (4) The effect of co-existing background anions (including HA) was dominated by three factors: Firstly the influence of co-existing background anions on the content of Fe intercepted from water (intercepted Fe). Secondly the competition of co-existing anions with Mo (VI) for adsorption sites. Thirdly the influence of co-existing background anions on the Zeta potential of the iron flocs. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.