A composite adsorbent capable of simultaneous removal of both cationic and anionic contaminants from aqueous solutions was developed by impregnating hydrous zirconium oxide (HZO) into chitosan beads (CB). The optimal mass ratio of chitosan to HZO was 2:2. The composite adsorbent (HZOCB) had the rugged surface (52.74 m(2) g(-1)) with irregular cracks caused by HZO inclusion and amine functional groups. The rate of Pb2+ adsorption by HZOCB was relatively rapid. Most of Pb2+ (89%) was adsorbed within 2.5 h. A binary sorbate system was noticeably favorable for F- adsorption as compared to single sorbate system. Adsorption of F- and Pb2+ followed pseudo-second order kinetics. The maximum sorption capacities obtained from Langmuir isotherm model were 22.1 and 222.2 mg g(-1), respectively. The study demonstrates that the developed composite could be a potential adsorbent for the simultaneous remediation of F- and Pb2+ contamination in water. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.