A novel, specific sorbent based on polyamide covalently immobilized with dead yeast cells by glutaraldehyde was prepared and characterized. This sorbent exhibits a high capacity for metal complexation based on multifunctional groups of dead cells, as well as a good stability for reuse based on the crosslinking agent, glutaraldehyde. The Cu2+ sorption characteristics of the polyamide modified with immobilized dead cells were studied and compared to those of the polyamide chemically modified without cells. The adsorption capacity of specifically modified polyamide was about 19-fold higher than the chemically modified polymer. The adsorption isotherms of Langmuir and Freundlich for the new specific sorbent were deter mined. The effect of pH, temperature and co-ions (Zn2+, Pb2+, Co2+, Ca2+ and Mg2+) on the Cu2+ sorption capacity were studied. The effectiveness of heavy metal desorption and the coefficient of recovery of sorption ability were determined. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.