Adsorbents for removing heavy metals and methods for producing and using the same

Adsorbents for removing anions of a heavy metals comprise a porous carbon in which at least one oxygen-containing compound of iron, copper, and/or aluminum is incorporated. The oxygen-containing compound may be incorporated into the porous carbon 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.