Chitosan-coated perlite (CCP) beads were prepared by dropwise addition of a liquid slurry containing chitosan and perlite to an alkaline bath. The resulting beads were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and surface area analysis. The chitosan content of the beads is 23% as determined by a pyrolysis method. Adsorption of phenolic compounds (phenol, 2-chlorophenol, and 4- chlorophenol) from aqueous solutions on chitosan-coated perlite beads was studied under batch equilibrium and column flow conditions. The binding capacity of the biosorbent was investigated as a function of initial pH, contact time, initial concentration of adsorbate, and dosage of adsorbent. Adsorption kinetic and isotherm studies, respectively, showed that the adsorption process followed a pseudo-first-order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of phenol, 2-CP, and 4-CP on to the chitosan-coated perlite beads was found to be 192, 263, and 322 mg g(-1), respectively.