Sorption potential of waste short hemp fibers for Pb2+, Cd2+ and Zn2+ ions from aqueous media was explored. In order to assess the influence of hemp fiber chemical composition on their heavy metals sorption potential, lignin and hemicelluloses were removed selectively by chemical modification. The degree of fiber swelling and water retention value were determined in order to evaluate the change in accessibility of the cell wall components to aqueous solutions due to the fiber modification. The effects of initial ion concentration, contact time and cosorption were studied in batch sorption experiments. The obtained results show that when the content of either lignin or hemicelluloses is progressively reduced by chemical treatment, the sorption properties of hemp fibers are improved. Short hemp fibers are capable of sorbing metal ions (Pb2+, Cd2+ and Zn2+) from single as well as from ternary metal ion solutions. The maximum total uptake capacities for Pb2+, Cd2+ and Zn2+ ions from single solutions are the same, i.e. 0.078 mmol/g, and from ternary mixture 0.074, 0.035 and 0.035 mmol/g, respectively. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.