Lead sorption was investigated using several biosorbents, including five fungi (Aspergillus niger, Mucor miehei, Penicillium chrysogenum, Rhizopus arrhizus and Rhizopus conhii), two algae (Ascophyllum nodosum, Lessonia trabeculata), one yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), alginate and chitosan. Experiments were performed with non-living microorganisms. In the present work alginate was tested as a powder. Preliminary experiments have been performed investigating the influence of the pH on lead sorption (between pH 3 and pH 6). Complementary experiments were carried out using 3 of the most efficient sorbents: alginate, A. niger and A. nodosum. Sorption properties were determined through isotherms and kinetics at pH 4. Maximum sorption capacities were comparable for A. niger and A. nodosum, tending to 130-150 mg Pb g-1. Sorption kinetics was slightly faster for A. nodosum than for A. niger.