The simulation of batch and column kinetics of Methylene Blue and Red Basic 22 adsorption on mild acid hydrolyzed wheat straw was investigated, using untreated wheat straw as control, in order to examine its properties for potential use as a low cost adsorbent for wastewater dye removal. The BET surface area, the adsorption capacities (estimated according to Freundlich and Langmuir models), indicated that mild acid hydrolysis enhances significantly the adsorption properties of the original material. This enhancement can be attributed to the removal of the hemicelluloses during sulfuric acid treatment, resulting in the 'opening' of the pores of lignocellulosic matrix's structure and the increasing of the BET surface area. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.