Sawdust and modified peanut husk were used as adsorbents to remove Pb(II), Cr(III) and Cu(II) from aqueous solution. Results of kinetic experiments demonstrated that the adsorption was effective and rapid. Three different kinds of kinetic models (i.e., intraparticular diffusion model, Lagergren-first-order and second-order equations) were used to investigate the adsorption mechanisms. The adsorption of heavy metals on sawdust and modified peanut husk is not an intraparticular diffusion control. The kinetic adsorption data can be described by the second-order equation and the adsorption might be a rate-limiting control. The suitability of the adsorbent was tested by fitting the adsorption data with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, which gave good fits with both isotherms. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.