Biosorption of lead(II) and cadmium(II) from aqueous solutions by protonated Sargassum glaucescens biomass was studied in a continuous packed bed column. The selective uptake of Pb2+ and Cd2+ was investigated in a binary system with initial concentration of 1 mM for each metal ion. The selective uptake capacities of Pb2+ and Cd2+ at complete exhaustion point were obtained 1.18 and 0.22 mmol/g, respectively; therefore, the biosorbent showed much higher relative affinity for Pb2+, than for Cd2+. The optimum range of empty bed contact time (EBCT) was identified as 5-10 min in the packed bed column. The efficiency of biosorbent regeneration by 0. 1 M HCl was achieved about 60%, so that the maximum uptake capacity of Pb2+ by the regenerated biomass was determined to be 0.75 mmol/g while the same value for the original biomass was 1.24 mmoVg. The Thomas model was found in a suitable fitness with the experimental data (R-2 > 0.90 and epsilon% < 50%) at all different operation stages. Monitoring of pH in the effluent of the column presented the simultaneous release of H' with the uptake of heavy metals; hence, ion exchange was confirmed to be one of the main biosorption mechanisms. (c) 2007 Elsevier BX All rights reserved.