Apple residues(AR) from apple-juice processing was used to remove the copper and lead ions from aqueous solutions. This residues contains acidic functional groups with cation exchange properties which can be enhanced by means of chemical modification. The removal characteristics of copper and lead ions onto the original residues(AR) as well as onto phosphated apple residues(P-AR) was investigated for evaluating the cation exchange capacities. The effects of pH, co-ion, ionic strength and chemical treatment were studied.