Extraction of organic materials from red water by metal-impregnated lignite activated carbon

► Metal-impregnated lignite activated carbon was investigated as adsorbent. ► Adsorbent for the extraction of organic materials from 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) red water. ► Effects of different metals on the extraction were investigated and discussed. ► Many loading factors of Cu2+ were found having great influences on the extraction. ► Extraction performances and mechanism of TNT red water on Cu/LAC were investigated.