Three types of starch derivatives containing amide groups were used in removal of heavy metal ions from their solutions. These starch derivatives were poly(acrylamide)-starch graft copolymer, carbamoylethylated starch, and starch carba mate. The different factors affecting metal ion adsorption on these substrates, such as pH, metal ion concentration, type of starch derivatives, treatment time, and temperature, were studied. Results obtained indicate that the poly(acrylamide)-starch graft copolymer was a selective adsorbant for Hg2+ at pH 0.5-1. The adsorption values of different metal ions on these starch derivatives follow the order of Hg2+ > Cu2+ > Zn2+ > Ni2+ > Co2+ > Cd2+ > Ph2+. The adsorption values depend upon pH, type of starch derivative, treatment duration, and temperature. The adsorption efficiency percentage of metal ions on the three substrates follows the order of carbamoylethylated starch > poly(acrylamide) - starch graft copolymer > starch carbamate.