Abstract: A bead is provided which consists essentially of peat moss or other nonliving biomass immobilized by sodium silicate or polysulfone binder. The bead is effective to remove metal contaminants from dilute aqueous solutions. A method of making metal-ion-sorbing beads is provided, comprising combining peat moss or other nonliving biomass and liquid binder (preferably in a pin mixer where it is whipped), forming wet beads, and drying the beads. The liquid binder is preferably sodium silicate dissolved in water or polysulfone dissolved in methylene chloride.