The adsorption of the model sulfur compound dibenzothiophene ( DBT) from n-octane solution on to bamboo charcoal (BC) was investigated. The equilibrium and kinetics of DBT adsorption on BC were examined. Adsorption isotherm of DBT on BC was determined and correlated with two well-known isotherm equations (Langmuir and Freundlich). The equilibrium data for DBT adsorption fitted the Freundlich model well. Two simplified kinetic models including pseudo first-order and pseudo second-order equations were selected to follow the adsorption processes. The adsorption of DBT on BC can be best described by a pseudo second-order equation. The parameters of this best-fit kinetic model were calculated and discussed. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.