Lignite-derived solid humic acids were used for adsorption of 16 metal cations from aq. solns. The effects of pH, concn. of salts and contact time were examd. Adsorption and plasma spectrometries were used for detn. of the adsorption course. The highest adsorption ability was achieved under neutral or weakly acidic conditions. The amt. of adsorbed metal ions increased with an increase in their concn. in the soln.