[en] Four clays (bentonite, montmorillonite, diatomite and sepiolite) were used as low-cost adsorbents for removal of Co(II) radionuclides. The effect of the solution pH was studied in the range 1.5-10. The kinetic data were analyzed by the pseudo-first-order, the pseudo-second-order and intraparticle diffusion models. The equilibrium isotherms of Co(II) were analyzed by Langmuir and Freundlich models. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔGo, ΔHo and ΔSo) were calculated and the results showed that the present adsorption processes are feasible, spontaneous and endothermic in nature. Desorption experiments of Co(II)-loaded clays suggested that adsorption of Co(II) was governed by physical adsorption and surface complexation. (author)