Subject: Inorganic Ion Binding by Activated Carbon, Why Some not Others

It is known that activated carbon filtration of water can remove chlorine 
ions. Why is it not effective for removal of radicals such as nitrate and 
phosphate? Its removal of positive ions (metals) appears to be related to 
the removal of these as chelates (to polarized organic molecules). Is it 
capable of removing simple metal ions directly from solution? It seems 
clear that activated carbon adsorbs large molecules and is highly 
effective for this, but specificity of its usefulness is unclear. Based on 
the principle of its activity, what does activated carbon remove, what 
doesn't it remove, and why and why not?

Re: Inorganic Ion Binding by Activated Carbon, Why Some not Others