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Graphical abstract Abstract In this work, the magnetic alginate microsphere of Fe 3 O 4 /MgAl-LDH (Fe 3 O 4 /LDH-AM) was prepared by immobilizing the Fe 3 O 4 /LDH with calcium alginate (CA) and was used to remove Cd2+, Pb2+, and Cu2+ from aqueous solutions. The obtained Fe 3 O 4 /LDH-AM was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area determination. The results indicated that the surface groups of the alginate and LDH were retained and so was the crystal structure in the alginate microsphere. The adsorption performance of the Fe 3 O 4 /LDH-AM for Cd2+, Pb2+, and Cu2+ in aqueous solutions was evaluated by batch and column adsorption experiments. The effects of adsorption conditions, kinetics, isotherms, mechanisms, and potential applications were investigated. The adsorption kinetic data conformed to the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation, and the isotherm data fit well with the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. The adsorption mechanism of Cd2+, Pb2+, and Cu2+ by the Fe 3 O 4 /LDH-AM entailed complexation and precipitation. The experimental breakthrough curves were correlated with the Thomas model. Moreover, the Fe 3 O 4 /LDH-AM displayed superior regeneration and reusability. These results suggest that the Fe 3 O 4 /LDH-AM is an efficient adsorbent for the removal of heavy metals and can be effectively employed in practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]