Composite adsorbents, Ca(ALG)(2)-Cu2O, Ca(ALG)(2)-AgCl and Ca(ALG)(2)-Ag, were prepared using Cu2O, AgCl and Ag as the adsorption-active components and calcium alginate as the matrix material. The adsorption of iodide from aqueous solutions onto these adsorbents was investigated as a function of initial solution pH, temperature and co-existing NaCl. The loading of the adsorption-active components in the composite adsorbents is much higher than that in the reported composite adsorbents. In neutral solutions, the equilibrium adsorption amount follows the order of Ca(ALG)(2)-AgCl >> Ca(ALG)(2)-Ag >> Ca(ALG)(2)-Cu2O. The adsorption by Ca(ALG)(2)-AgCl is insensitive to pH, while the adsorption by Ca(ALG)(2)-Cu2O and Ca(ALG)(2)-Ag is pH dependent. The effect of temperature on the adsorption is more pronounced for Ca(ALG)(2)-Cu2O than for Ca(ALG)(2)-AgCl and Ca(ALG)(2)-Ag. The co-existing NaCl does not affect the adsorption by Ca(ALG)(2)-AgCl very much; however, it suppresses the adsorption by Ca(ALG)(2)-Ag, and especially, Ca(ALG)(2)-Cu2O. Chemical adsorption is the main mechanism for all the three adsorbents. Ca(ALG)(2)-AgCl was found to be the best adsorbent owing to its highest adsorption capacity, suitable adsorption rate and insensitivity to solution pH, temperature and co-existing NaCl.