The experimental data of ammonium exchange by natural Bigadic clinoptilolite was evaluated using nonlinear regression analysis. Three two-parameters isotherm models (Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin) and three three-parameters isotherm models (Redlich-Peterson, Sips and Khan) were used to analyse the equilibrium data. Fitting of isotherm models was determined using values of standard normalization error procedure (SNE) and coefficient of determination (R-2). HYBRID error function provided lowest sum of normalized error and Khan model had better performance for modeling the equilibrium data. Thermodynamic investigation indicated that ammonium removal by clinoptilolite was favorable at lower temperatures and exothermic in nature. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.