Static and kinetic studies on adsorption of nitrobenzene, 4-nitrophenol and 4-chlorophenol on two mesoporous carbons are performed. The carbon properties are analyzed by means of nitrogen adsorption. The adsorption experiments are performed in acidic buffer solutions in a wide range of concentrations. The static experiments are analyzed by means of Langmuir-Freundlich and Freundlich isotherms. The Lagergren, pseudo-second-order, intraparticle-diffusion and multi-exponent equations are used in the analysis of kinetic equilibria. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.