The ability of using low-rank Turkish brown coals (Ilgi{dotless}n: BC1, Beyşehir: BC2, and Ermenek: BC3) to remove Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions was studied as a function of contact time, solution pH, temperature, concentration of metal solutions and amount of adsorbent. Their sorption properties were compared with the activated carbon from Chemviron (AQ-30). Adsorption of Cr(VI) uptake is in all cases pH-dependent showing a maximum at equilibrium pH values between 2.0 and 3.2, depending on the biomaterial, that correspond to initial pH values of 2.3 units for BC1, 3.0 units for BC2 and 3.2 units for BC3 and AQ-30. Batch equilibrium tests showed that the Cr(VI) removal was fitted with Freundlich isotherm and the adsorption reached equilibrium in 80 min. It was proceeding effectively into a short acid pH interval (2.0-3.2) where processes of Cr(VI) sorption are maximized. It was observed that the maximum adsorption capacity of 11.2 mM of Cr(VI)/g for Ilgi{dotless}n (BC1), 12.4 mM of Cr(VI)/g for Beyşehir (BC2), 7.4 mM of Cr(VI)/g for Ermenek (BC3) and 6.8 mM of Cr(VI)/g for activated carbon (AQ-30) was achieved at pH of 3.0. The rise in temperature caused a slight decrease in the value of the equilibrium constant (Kc) for the sorption of Cr(VI) ion. The Cr(VI) sorption capacities of Beyşehir and Ilgi{dotless}n brown coals were the same. Ermenek brown coals and activated carbon (AQ-30) showed a similar sorption capacity. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.