The possibility of using iron-based adsorbents (i.e. akaganeite or goethite) to remove heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions was the aim of the present review paper. Synthesized material was used in two forms, i.e. in fine powder of nanocrystals and in the form of grains (as granular). The main examined parameters were the quantity of sorbent, the presence of ionic strength, the pH value of solution and the metals speciation, including the presence of complexing agents. The removal efficiency of the packed-bed column was examined and compared. Typical adsorption models were discussed and the bed depth-service time equation has been applied to the sorption results in order to model the column operation. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.