Graphene oxide (GO) is a highly effective adsorbent, and its absorbing capability is further enhanced through its in situ reduction with sodium hydrosulfite as the reductant. Acridine orange is the selected target to eliminate with GO as the adsorbent. Under identical conditions. GO without the in situ reduction showed a maximum adsorption capacity of 1.4 g g(-1), and GO with the in situ reduction provided a maximum adsorption capacity of 3.3 g g(-1). Sodium hydrosulfite converts carbonyl groups on GO into hydroxyl groups, which function as the key sites for the adsorption enhancement. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.