The preparation of super absorbent hydrogels based on Kappa-carrageenan and polyacrylamide was carried out by electron beam irradiation technique. The gels were characterized for their temperature and pH responsive behavior by equilibrium swelling experiments and for their structure by FTIR, DSC, and SEM techniques. The effect of polymer composition, dose applied, pH, and temperature on swelling was evaluated. The suitability of these systems as matrix materials for the uptake of Cu2+ and Ni2+ ions from aqueous solutions was studied. The influence of gel structure and pH conditions on metal ion uptake capacity of gels were investigated. The metal ion uptake capacity has been correlated with the swelling ability of the gels.