Abstract The adsorption of Cr(VI) ion on synthetic hydrated oxides of iron (goethite (α-FeOOH) and lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH)) with different crystallinities was studied in order to remove the Cr(VI) ion from polluted water. At pH 4.5, the amounts of the adsorbed Cr(V1) ion on goethite and lepidocrocite were 51.9 and 62.2 mmol g−, respectively. Probably, this is due to the fact that the structure of lepidocrocite is more open than that of goethite. Lepidocrocite, therefore, is more effective for the removal of Cr( V1) ion from Cr(Vl)-contaminated and acidic groundwater and sewage.