Magnesium and coconuts shell activated carbon composite was prepared to selectively remove heavy metals ions in aqueous solution. Zinc(II) and cadmium(II) ions were used to clarify the adsorption capacity of the composite in comparison with no magnesium containing activated carbon. Influence of the initial heavy metal concentration, time course and solution temperature on the adsorption amounts were examined for the two adsorbents, and surface chemistry of the adsorbents was also characterized using Boehm titration. The magnesium composite adsorbed greater amount of Zn(II) and Cd(II) ions than the no magnesium counterpart. The adsorption amount of Cd(II) was not influenced with rise in solution temperature for the composite, whereas decrease in adsorption was observed for the counterpart. The loaded magnesium was estimated to be combined with carbon surface via oxygen bridge. Cadmium(II) was adsorbed onto the composite surface by ion exchange process with releasing equivalent amount of Mg(II) from the carbon surface, while Zn(II) would adsorb onto the composite by not only the ion exchange, but also the electrostatic interaction with the C pi electrons on the graphite surface from the experimental results. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.