N-methacryloyl-(L)-alanine (MALA) was synthesized by using methacryloyl chloride and alanine as a metal-complexing ligand or comonomer. Spherical beads with an average diameter of 150-200 mu m were obtained by suspension polymerization of MALA and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) conducted in an aqueous dispersion medium. Poly(HEMA-MALA) beads were characterized by SEM, swelling studies, surface area measurement, and elemental analysis. Poly(HEMA-MALA) beads have a specific surface area of 68.5 m(2)/g. Poly(HEMA-MALA) beads with a swelling ratio of 63%, and containing 247 mu mol MALA/g were used in the removal of H g(2+) from aqueous solutions. Adsorption equilibrium was achieved in about 60 min. The adsorption of Hg2+ ions onto PHEMA beads was negligible (0.3 mg/g). The MALA incorporation into the polymer structure significantly increased the mercury adsorption capacity (168 mg/g). Adsorption capacity of MALA containing beads increased significantly with pH. The adsorption of Hg2+ ions increased with increasing pH and reached a plateau value at around pH 5.0. Competitive heavy metal adsorption from aqueous solutions containing Cd2+, Cu2+, Pb2+, and Hg2+ was also investigated. The adsorption capacities are 44.5 mg/g for Hg2+, 6.4 mg/g for Cd2+, 2.9 mg/g for Pb2+, and 2.0 mg/g for Cu2+ ions. These results may be considered as an indication of higher specificity of the poly(HEMA-MALA) beads for the Hg2+ comparing to other ions. Consecutive adsorption and elution operations showed the feasibility of repeated use for poly(HEMA-MALA) chelating beads. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.