Removal of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) from dilute aqueous solution (5-40 mg/l) by the yeast Rhodotorula rubra was examined. The influence of pH and temperature of the solution and the state of the cells (viable and nonviable biomass) on heavy metal removal were studied. The uptake of Cd and Pb was significantly affected by the initial pH of the solution. At low pH the removal of Cd and Pb decreased while the removal of the metals increased with increasing pH. The optimum initial pH values were 4-4.5 and 5.5-6 for uptake of Pb and Cd, respectively. The effect of temperature was different on each metal. For Pb uptake the increase in temperature (25 degrees C to 37 degrees C) was adverse while Cd uptake increased with temperature. A Langmuir sorption model was used to evaluate the sorption behaviour of the yeast and Langmuir parameters were obtained. Metal uptakes at equilibrium residual concentrations of 10 mg/l (q(10)) were also calculated for comparison with other biosorbents. The q(10) value for Cd or Pb uptake by rubra biomass was higher than the q(10) value reported for Saccharomyces cereviseae or fungal biomass. Desorption was carried out with either 0.1 M EDTA or 0.1 M HCl. The maximum amount of Cd was desorbed in 10 mi 0.1 M EDTA, while desorption efficiency of 0.1 M HCl was lower. In Pb desorption tests there was no difference between the two elutants.