An integrated biosorption-pyrolysis technology was employed to recover Pb from aqueous solution. A series of biosorption, fast pyrolysis and leaching experiments were carried out. The optimum pH and adsorbent dose for Pb adsorption from aqueous solution are 6.0 and 3.0 g L(-1), respectively. The temperature is a key factor influencing the yields of pyrolysis products, and the maximum yield of bio-oil is 45.7% at 773 K. The pyrolysis technology can effectively recover Pb from Pb polluted Typha angustifolia biomass (Pb-TAB) and its recovery efficiency is not notably influenced by temperature. According to the economic evaluation, the biosorption-pyrolysis technology has great techno-economic advantages over the conventional biosorption-leaching technology. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.