Phosphate adsorption from single electrolyte (NaH2PO4), phosphate-enriched seawater, and model wastewater was studied Using amorphous zirconium hydroxide, ZrO(OH)(2)center dot(Na2O)(0.05)center dot 1.5H(2)O, as an adsorbent. Batch experiments were carried out to investigate the adsorption of phosphate. The effect of PH on phosphate adsorption from seawater showed that the uptake of phosphate increased with an increase in PH LIP to 6, and then decreased sharply with a further increase in pH of the solution. The equilibrium data of phosphate adsorption were followed with a Freundlich isotherm. The uptake of phosphate at the adsorbent/solution ratio 0.05 g/2 L was 10 and 17 mg-P/g, for the phosphate-enriched seawater and the model wastewater. respectively. A Much higher adsorptivity toward phosphate ions in seawater was observed on ZrO(OH)(2)center dot(Na2O)(0.05)center dot 1.5H(2)O than on other representative adsorbents based on layered double hydroxides of M-(II)-Al(III), Mg(II)-Fe(III), and Ni(II)-Fe(III). The effective desorption of phosphate ions on ZrO(OH)(2)center dot(Na2O)(0.05)center dot 1.5H(2)O could be achieved using a 0.1 M NaOH solution. The usefulness of experimental data for practical applications in removing phos hate in seawater and wastewater is discussed. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.