Sorption of traces of Cd(II) ions onto beach sand is investigated as a function of nature and concentration of electrolyte (10(-4) to 10(-2) M nitric, hydrochloric and perchloric acids, pH 2-10 buffers and deionized water), shaking time 5-40 min, shaking speed 50-200 strokes/min, dosage of sand (50-1000 mg/15cm(3)), concentration of sorbate (1.04 x 10(-6) to 1.9 X 10(-4) M) and temperature (293-323K). Maximum sorption of Cd(II) ions (similar to 66%) is achieved from deionized water using 300mg/15cm(3) sand in 20 min. The data are successfully tested by Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Redushkevich (D-R) sorption isotherms. The values for characteristic Langmuir constants 13.31 +/- 0.20 mu mol/g and of b = (6.56 +/- 0.53) x 10(3) dm(3)/mol, Freundlich constants A = 2.23 +/- 1.16 mmol/g and 1/n = 0.70 0.05 of (D-R) constants beta = -0.005068 +/- 0.000328 kJ(2)/mol(2), X-m = 46.91 +/- 11.91 mu mol/g and energy E = 9.92 +/- 0.32 kJ/mol have been estimated. Kinetics of sorption has been studied by applying Morris-Weber, Richenberg and Lagergren equations. The sorption follows first order rate equation resulting 0.182 +/- 0.004 min(-1) The thermodynamic parameters Delta H = 32.09 +/- 2.92 kJ/mol, Delta S = 111.0 +/- 9.5 J/mol K and Delta G = - 1.68 +/- 0.02 kJ/mol are evaluated. The influence of common ions on the sorption of Cd(II) ions is also examined. Some common ions reduce the sorption while most of the ions have very little effect. It can be concluded that beach sand may be used as an alternative for the expensive synthetic sorbents. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.