Batch sorption experiments were conducted using a PS-EDTA resin as a sorbent to adsorb Cu(II) and Pb(II) ions from single component system. The results showed that both the Cu(II) and Pb(II) ions sorption capacity and efficiency reach a high level at an initial pH value of 6, the adsorption capacity of Cu(II) and Pb(II) ions were 42.1 mg/g and 32.1 mg/g at initial concentration of 100 mg/L, and the maximum efficiency were 99.8% and 99.6% at 5 mg/L, respectively. The equilibrium data for the adsorption of Cu(II) and Pb(II) on PS-EDTA resin were tested with three adsorption isotherm models which were found to be suitable for the two ions' adsorptions. In addition, the kinetic adsorption fitted well to the pseudo-second-order model and the corresponding rate constants were obtained. Furthermore a higher desorption efficiency of Cu(II) and Pb(II) from the PS-EDTA resin using acid treatment was available. The column capacity for Cu(II) and Pb(II) adsorption for the bed height of 0.15 m, hydraulic loading rate of 2.5 m(3)/(hm(2)) and the feed concentration of 50 mg/L and 100 mg/L for 50% breakthrough concentration were found to be 49.8 mg/g, 87.4 mg/g and 48.7 mg/g. 91.2 mg/g, respectively. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.