The sorption of 3-methoxybenzaldehyde on activated kaolinites has been investigated at different temperatures. Two types of activation tests were performed. The sorption equilibrium was studied by sorption isotherms in the temperature range 303-333 K for natural (untreated), thermally and acid activated kaolinites. It was shown that the isotherm shapes were not affected by temperature and activation types of kaolinite. The absorbance data at 312 nm were fitted reasonably well with the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models and the model parameters were determined for different temperatures. Thermodynamic quantities such as Gibbs free energy (Delta G), the enthalpy (Delta H) and the entropy change of sorption (Delta S) were determined for natural, thermally and acid activated kaolinites. It was shown that the sorption processes were an endothermic reactions, controlled by physical mechanisms and spontaneously. Adsorption capacity of acid activated kaolinite for 3-methoxybenzaldehyde was higher compared to that of natural and thermally activated kaolinites at various temperatures. The adsorption and desorption rate constants (k(a) and k(d)) were obtained separately by applying a geometric approach to the first order Langmuir model. This method provided good conformity between the K from Langmuir parameters and K-geo (k(a)/k(d)) from geometric approach. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.