The purpose of this work was to evaluate the potential of Pinus sylvestris sawdust, in a continuous flow removal of lead (11) ions from synthetic and industrial aqueous effluents. The kinetic parameters obtained in a batch process were used to scale-up the process on a mini-column and to choose the breakthrough model. The column experimental data concerning the volumes treated were correlated using the bed depth service time model. These experimental data closely fitted the bed depth service time model at 10% of the breakthrough curve. The results from the bed depth service time model on the mini-column were then usedto design a pilot plant adsorption unit. The performance of the pilot plant column accurately agreed with that obtained from the mini-column. The experiments carried out in a dynamic reactor allowed to bring out the influence of various parameters on the efficiency of the R sylvestris sawdust. In addition, the process was checked for the treatment of industrial aqueous effluents on a pilot plant scale and the results were in accordance with those obtained from synthetic effluents. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.