Adsorptive removal of nitrate ions in aqueous solution using activated carbons (ACs) was examined. After ash was removed from Filtrasorb 400 AC, oxidation and outgassing and several heat treatments were carried out to modify the textural and surface properties of ACs. AC oxidized with 8 M nitric acid followed by outgassing at 900 degrees C (Ox-9OG) exhibited the greatest Langmuir adsorption capacity and affinity for nitrate removal among the total 7 ACs examined. Influence of coexisting chloride and sulfate ions was investigated as well to inspect the nitrate adsorption sites. The highest amount of sites which adsorbed nitrate ions exclusively could be observed for Ox-9OG adsorbent even though as great as 250 times greater number of chloride or sulfate ions over nitrate ions were present in the same aqueous system. Some basic oxygen species on carbon were estimated to work as selective adsorption sites for nitrate ions. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.