Both phosphorus(P) and ammonium(NH+4-N) adsorption capacities of fly ash,alumina,activated carbon,burnt stone and vermiculite with physical and chemical characteristics were examined for the potential use as substrate in removing P and N in polluted water.Results showed that: Among the 5 substrates,fly ash was alkaline with the highest Fe,Ca and active Fe,Ca contents,while alumina was acid with highest Al and active Al contents.There was 21.6% of Mg found in vermiculite.Activated carbon had the largest spec...