In this study, the removal of Cr(VI) was examined in a binary aqueous system containing Ni(II), and the competitive interaction between them was successfully modeled. The removal rate of Cr(VI) was unaffected by the presence of Ni(II). However, in an equilibrium state, the uptake of total Cr or Ni(II) was decreased in the presence of the other metal. The mono- and multi-component Langmuir adsorption models clearly represented the uptake behavior of these metals. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.