In the present study the kinetics of biosorption of cadmium(II) ions by deactivated protonated yeast converted to sodium form was investigated for different initial concentrations of the metal ion (10-100 ppm) and different sorbent dosages (0.1-2.0 g) at a pH of 6.5. The adsorption process occurred in four distinct steps and the rates for these steps decreased sequentially. The rate of cadmium uptake in each case was pseudo-second-order with respect to metal ion concentration. The amount sorbed at equilibrium was found to be directly proportional to the initial metal ion concentration divided by the sorbent mass. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.