The specific adsorption of radiolabeled sulfate and phosphate ions from perchlorate supporting electrolyte onto nano-AlOOH and nano-Fe2O3 powder has been investigated. The pH dependence of the adsorption of anions onto nanopowders was compared with that of the same ions onto gamma-Al2O3 and hematite. It was demonstrated that the character of the pH dependence of the adsorption is very similar in the comparable cases. It was found, however, that in contrast to the behavior of gamma-Al2O3, nano-AlOOH dissolves at a significant rate at low pH values (pH < 2). Thus the study of the pH dependence of the anion adsorption encounters difficulties at these pH values. Disregarding this fact, it can be concluded that no special effects can be observed in the anion adsorption onto the nano-oxides studied. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.