A copper (II) ions biosorption by Sargassum sp. biomass was studied in a fixed bed column at 30 degrees C and pH 3.5. The experimental curves were obtained for the following feed concentrations -2.08, 4.16, 6.42 and 12.72 mmol/L of the copper ions. The mathematical models developed by Thomas and Bohart-Adams were used for description of ions sorption process in the column. The models principle hypothesis is that the mass transfer controlling stage of the process is the adsorption kinetics between sorbate and adsorbent. The phenomena such as intraparticle diffusion, a mass transfer external resistance and axial dispersion effects were out of considerations. Some of the models parameters were experimentally determined (rho(B), epsilon, u(0), C-0) and the others were evaluated on the bases of the experimental data (k(a1), k(a2)). The unique fitting parameter in all models was the adsorption kinetic constant. The identification procedure was based on the least square statistical method. Simulation results show that the models describe well a copper ions sorption process in a fixed bed column. The used models can be considered as useful tools for adsorption process design and optimization in fixed bed column by using algae biomass of Sargassum sp. as an adsorbent. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V.. All rights reserved.