Attapulgite clay(ATP) from Xuyi was purified by a wet method then treated with NaOH and 1 mol/L，2 mol/L and 3 mol/L solutions of HCl. Transmission electron microscope(TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the ATPs of different treated methods, and then specific surface, pore volume and Zeta potential were deteremined as well. Results showed that wet purification could remove most of impurities without destroy composition and fiber structure of ATP. Treatment of 3 mol/L hydrochloric acid could dissolve some element of ATP so much as form SiO2 and destroy fiber structure to clips. Adsorption experiments of 0.01 mol/L Fe3 , Ni2 and Cr2O72- on ATP removed from aqueous solutions were done. Absorbents were original ATP, purified ATP or ATP treated with sodium hydroxide, 1 mol/L，2 mol/L and 3 mol/L solutions of hydrochloric acid. Influences of treatment methods and kinds of ion on adsorptive ratio were studied. The results showed that Fe3 and Ni2 had higher adsorptive ratio on ATP than Cr2O72- , and adsorptive ratios had close relationship to Zeta potenial of ATP.