The effect of changes in pH and the presence of ligands on the uptake of zinc ions by three types of clay mineral (kaolinite, illite and montmorillonite) has been investigated. In alkaline media the clay suspension acts as a nucleation centre for polymeric hydroxy species, and the major role of many ligands is to mask the precipitation process. Uncharged and negatively charged species are not sorbed to any measurable extent. In acidic media the adsorption capacity of the clays for zinc increases with pH and possible mechanisms are considered. For kaolinite and illite the controlling process appears to be the attachment of hydroxy species to particular sites on the particle edges; with montmorillonite ion exchange at negative lattice sites appears predominant. Of particular interest is the apparent affinity between montmorillonite and species containing nitrogen functional groups.