The removal of Pb ion from diluted solutions by sorption onto magnetically modified zeolite (MMZ) and magnetic separation, was studied at laboratory scale. Synthetic zeolite fines were used as heavy metal ion sorbent, while iron oxide fines were used as magnetic carrier materials. The as-prepared MMZ, characterized by magnetization measurements, were found to retain the adsorption capacity of the parent zeolite as well as its structural integrity. These findings show that MMZ can be used for the removal of heavy metal ions from waste. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.