Organo-montmorillonite was prepared by the modification of montmorillonite (Mont) with cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), benzethonium chloride (BC) or hexadecyl trimethylammonium chloride (HDTMAC) to study the adsorption of bromate from aqueous solutions. The adsorption from a 0.78 mu M bromate solution on CPC-Mont occurred rapidly. The equilibrium was attained within 2 h at bromate concentrations <0.078 mu M, the maximum contaminant level established for drinking water. BC-Mont and HDTMAC-Mont were not effective for the adsorption of bromate in trace concentrations. (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.