Abstract: SO<SUP>2-</SUP><SUB>4</SUB>,a common anion in inorganic chemical industry,industrial wastewater,mine drainage,surface water,and drinking water,can result in adverse impact on chemical production,environment and human health.Therefore,it has significant practical sense to explore effective and economic methods of removing SO<SUP>2-</SUP><SUB>4</SUB>&nbsp; from water.Currently,there are many methods for removing SO<SUP>2-</SUP><SUB>4</SUB> from water,but the removal of SO<SUP>2-</SUP><SUB>4</SUB> from water in adsorption methods was mainly summarized,including NDS method,lime and PAC method,calcined hydrotalcite adsorption method,pillared montmorillonite adsorption method,goethite adsorption method and ion exchange method.The principle and the characteristics of each method were pointed out.At the same time,further research direction was also proposed.