Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of water-soluble compositions containing a compound having a Lewis base group attached to a hydrophobic group where the Lewis base group is capable of donating at least one lone pair of electrons to a metal. These compositions are effective in treating acid mine drainage by treating the source of the acid mine drainage as well as the acid mine drainage waters. These compositions are also effective in removing metal and non-metal ions from aqueous sources and the process can be modified to allow the selective removal of metal and non-metal ions from aqueous sources.