Response surface methodology (RSM) based on three-variable-three-level Box-Behnken design was employed to interpret the adsorption characteristics of Acid Black 1 (AB1) dye onto three brown macroalgae viz., Nizamuddin zanardini, Sargassum glaucescens and Stoechospermum marginatum. The effects of three independent variables, viz. biomass dosage, dye concentration, and initial solution pH were studied for the removal of AB1 dye by the three macroalgae. A second-order polynomial model successfully described the effects of independent variables on the AB1 dye removal. The maximum experimental dye removal efficiency of 99.27, 98.12 and 97.62% for N. zanardini, S. glaucescens and S. marginatum, respectively, was obtained, which was in agreement with the calculated values. The results of the present study suggest that these macroalgae can be used as an efficient biosorbents for dye removal from aqueous solution. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.