Adsorption mechanism of a natural compound, alizarin (1,2-dihydroxyanthraquinone), onto three types of microporous polymeric adsorbents (XAD-4, XAD-7, XAD-16) has been proposed using Langmuir, Freundlich and Redlich-Petersen isotherms. Adsorption capacity and optimum adsorption isotherms were predicted by linear least squares and non-linear regression method. Adsorption kinetics was proposed by pseudo-first and second second order models. The adsorption capacity of XAD-16 was the highest at 0.0424 mg/mg, with initial alizarin concentration of 200 mg/L. Pseudo-second-order kinetics was more appropriate in explaining the adsorption mechanism than pseudo-first-order. Over the studied concentration ranges, only XAD-4 adsorption can be reasonably described by the three isotherms. XAD-16 data is only best-fitted to Langmuir and Redlich-Petersen isotherms. Non-linear method proved a better way to predict the equilibrium isotherm parameters. The combination of parameters, such as specific surface area, pore diameter, polarity of the network of the resins, the solubility and polarity of the adsorbate, are the significant parameters for optimum adsorption process. Crown Copyright © 2008.