Lanthanum alginate bead is a new, highly active adsorbent. In the present study, we investigated its adsorption performance and its adsorption mechanism. The adsorption isotherm for fluoride onto lanthanum alginate bead fits the Langmuir model well, and the maximum adsorption capacity is 197.2 mg.g(-1). X-ray diffraction shows the amorphous nature of lanthanum alginate bead, which allows for better accessibility to fluoride and thus better activity. Infrared spectra of lanthanum alginate bead before and after adsorption confirm its stable skeletal structure. Scanning electron microscopy shows that the dense surface structure of the adsorbent appear cracks after adsorption. The adsorption mechanism of lanthanum alginate bead is considered as an ion exchange between F- and Cl- or OH-, as verified from the adsorbent and the solution by pH effect, energy dispersive X-ray, and ion chromatography.