Adsorbents for removing anions of a heavy metals and methods for using same are provided. Metal removing adsorbents comprise a porous material in which at least one oxygen-containing compound of iron, copper, aluminum, titanium, and/or zirconium is incorporated. The oxygen-containing compound may be incorporated into the porous media by impregnation or dispersion of a suitable precursor of such a compound. The precursor may be further treated to yield the oxygen-containing compound. Such adsorbents are particularly useful for removing arsenic and/or selenium from the environment and may be used in treating drinking water sources.