A novel magnetic composite bioadsorbent composed of magnetic chitosan and graphene oxide (MCGO) was prepared as the magnetic adsorbent toward methylene blue. The magnetic composite bioadsorbent was characterized by SEM, FTIR and XRD measurements. The effect factors including pH, contact time and temperature on the adsorption properties of methylene blue onto MCGO were investigated. The resulting shows extraordinary adsorption capacity and fast adsorption rates for removal of methylene blue. The kinetics are well-described by pseudo-second-order kinetic. The experimental data of isotherm followed the Langmuir isotherm model and the Freundlich model, respectively. This work shows that the MCGO could be utilized as an efficient, magnetically separable adsorbent for the environmental cleanup. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.