The biosorption of Pb and Cr by Sargassum thunbergii was investigated in a batch conditions. The Pb and Cr uptake capacity of Sargassum thunbergii was 232.5 mg Pb/g biomass and 91.6 mg Cr/g biomass, respectively. An adsorption equilibria was reached within about 0.5 hr for both the Pb and the Cr. The adsorption parameters for both the Pb and the Cr were determined according to the Langmuir and Freundlich model. With increasing pH values, more negative sites are becoming available for the adsorption of Pb and Cr. The selectivity of mixture solution showed an uptake order of Pb>Cu>Cr>Cd. Pb and Cr adsorbed by S. thunbergii could be recovered ken 0.1 M HCl, 0.1 M $HNO_3$ and 0.1M EDTA by a desorption process, and the efficiency of Pb desorption was above $95.8\%$, whereas the efficiency of the Cr desorption was below $50.7\%$.