A high adsorption capacity of trihalomethanes, 18 mu mol of CHCl3 per 1 g of carbon spheres, from their aqueous solutions was obtained on carbon spheres derived from phenol resin by carbonization at 1000 degreesC in CO2 atmosphere and by following oxidation in nitric acid and in air at 400 degreesC for 4 h. This high capacity was discussed from the pore size distribution and pore shape on the surface of carbon spheres which were determined from STM observations.