A new method for extraction of zirconium from leach liquor of zircon concentrate is proposed. The procedure is based on the adsorption of Zr(IV) ions on rice bran. The sorption capacity of the biomass for zirconium is 50 mg g(-1). Adsorption equilibrium was achieved in less than 1 min and slightly affected by solution acidity. In the optimum conditions, the adsorption efficiencies of other associated metal ions such as Ti(4+), Fe(3+), Al(3+), La(3+), Ce(3+) were significantly lower than Zr(IV) ion and this biomass is excellent sorbent for the selective uptake of zirconium from acidic aqueous solutions. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.