The pseudo-second-order (PSO) model, popularized by Ho and McKay's work on divalent metal sorption onto peat, is routinely misinterpreted as proof of a two-site chemisorption mechanism. This article provides a rigorous, multi-faceted refutation of that inference. It demonstrates that a PSO fit offers no mechanistic proof through three converging lines of evidence. First, the PSO rate law is mathematically non-unique: it emerges as a limiting case from Langmuir kinetics, intraparticle diffusion, and statistical rate theory. Most critically, the two-site Coleman mechanism itself yields a mixed-order rate equation in which pure PSO appears only under restrictive conditions; a formal reductio ad... More >

Adsorption plays an indispensable role in addressing critical environmental challenges, including water purification, air quality control, and resource recovery. Despite its central importance, adsorption research remains widely dispersed across journals focused on chemistry, materials science, environmental science, and chemical engineering. Environmental Adsorption Research has been established to provide a dedicated and authoritative platform for advancing adsorption science and engineering in environmental contexts. This editorial outlines the journal’s objectives, scope, and vision, emphasizing its commitment to scientific integrity and its role in addressing contemporary environmenta... More >