The adsorption characteristics of Pb on sediments of the Dianshan Lake in Shanghai was studied. The results show that (1)the relationship between the amount q of apparent equilibrium adsorption and the equilibrium concentration C conforms to the Freundlich isothermal adsorption equation; (2) the adsorption and desorption of Pb on sediments are not reversible, that is, adsorption/desorption of Pb exhibits hysteresis; (3) Pb adsorption behavior is initially fast, followed by a slow reaction, and the slow reaction conforms to a reversible first-order reaction; (4) by deducing the Pb adsorption kinetics, four kinetics parameters n, k1, k2, qmax independent of C could be worked out; (5) the equilibrium parameter (K) and the free energy change (△G) could also be determined,and the negative values of free energy change (△G) indicate the spontaneous nature of the adsorption.