The effect of lead (Pb) on the sorption of phenol onto montmorillonite-based sorbents was studied using a batch equilibration method when phenol and Pb were sorbed simultaneously and either Pb or phenol was previously sorbed. The sorbents were Na + -, Ca 2+ -, hexadecyl trimethylammonium (HDTMA)-Na + -, and HDTMA-Ca 2+ -montmorillonites. Pb diminished the sorption of phenol largely onto Na + -or Ca 2+ -montmorillonites, while phenol had little effect on the sorption of Pb onto all sorbents. Pb had no effect on the sorption of phenol onto HDTMA-Na + -or HDTMA-Ca 2+ -montmorillonites either. The sorption capacity of phenol followed the order HDTMA-Na + -> HDTMA-Ca 2+ -> Na + -> Ca 2+ -montmorillonites. The pseudo-second-order equation described the kinetics of phenol sorption well. Sorption isotherms of phenol followed the Freundlich equation. Phenol sorption on HDTMA-Na + -and HDTMA-Ca 2+ -montmorillonites was linear, while that on Na + -and Ca 2+ -montmorillonites was nonlinear.