A series of alginate-derived polymeric surfactants (APSs) with a linear alkyl group (C8, C12, C16) was synthesized by oxidation followed by reductive amination of 2,3-dialdehydic alginate. The products were characterized by measuring IR spectra, NMR spectra, surface tension and critical micelle concentration (cmc). They were also tested for the solubilization of azobenzene and adsorption of heavy metal. In the case of 40% CHO-C8 APSs, the lowest interfacial tension value (31.5m Nm(-1)) was obtained at the cmc value of 1.35 g dm(-3). The dissolving capacity of 40% CHO-C8 APS towards azobenzene was 27 times greater than that of alginate. The overall cobalt (CO2+) removal efficiency by adsorption using APSs was high compared with that of sodium alginate at pH 3, 5 and 7. Equilibrium aspects of cobalt adsorption onto 10% CHO-APSs were studied, and the results show that APSs had high equilibrium capacities for cobalt uptake, 115.5mgg(-1).