In this study, the effect of temperature on the adsorption of some dyestuffs [orange II (O-II), crystal violet (CV) and reactive blue 5 (RB5)] and p-nitrophenol (PNP) by chitosan and of O-II and CV by modified chitosan [monocarboxymethylated(mcm)-chitosan] from aqueous solution was investigated. Kinetical data related to the adsorptions of each dyestuff and PNP by chitosan and of O-II and CV by mcm-chitosan were applied to Lagergren and Weber-Morris equations, and adsorption rate constants (k(ads)) and pore diffusion rate constants (k(p)) were determined, respectively. In addition, Langmuir isotherm constants with experimental data related to the adsorptions of O-II and CV by chitosan and of CV by mcm-chitosan were applied to McKay et al. equation, and external mass transfer coefficients (k(f)) were also determined. Lastly, chitosan and mcm-chitosan were compared according to their dyestuffs and PNP uptake capabilities. It was seen that mcm-chitosan removed more O-II (99.2%) and RB5 (34.9%) but less CV (3.1%) and PNP (0.9%). (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.