Batch adsorption studies were conducted to study the feasibility of using carbon derived from agro waste materials viz; pith, bagasse and saw dust for the purification of wastewater containing Pb(II). The effects of initial metal concentration, contact time, pH and adsorbent dose on the removal of Pb(II) were studied. Among the three adsorbents studied, carbon derived from pith showed better removal than the other adsorbents. Kinetics of removal of Pb(II) was studied using Lagergren rate plots and diffusion phenomena was analyzed using Weber and Morris intra particle diffusion plots. The applicability of the data was analyzed by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm. Desorption of Pb(II) from the sorbed carbon was achieved by eluting with 0. 1 M HNO3 . Carbon was retrieved by washing with 0.01 M CaCl2 solution and reused. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.