This work is devoted to the physico-chemical study of cadmium and lead interaction with diatom water interfaces for two marine planktonic (Thalassiosira weissflogii, TW; Skeletonema costatum, SC) and two freshwater periphytic species (Achnanthidium minutissimum, AMIN; Navicula minima, NMIN) by combining adsorption measurements with surface complexation modeling. Adsorption kinetics was studied as a function of pH and initial metal concentration in sodium nitrate solution and in culture media. Kinetic data were consistent with a two-step mechanism in which the loss of a water molecule from the inner coordination sphere of the metal is rate limiting. Reversible adsorption experiments, with 3 h of exposure to metal, were performed as a function of pH (2 9), metal concentration in solution (10?9 10?3 M), and ionic strength (10?3 1.0 M). While the shape of pH-dependent adsorption edge is similar among all four diatom species, the constant-pH adsorption isotherm and maximal binding capacities differ. Measurements of electrophoretic mobilities (?) revealed negative surface potential for AMIN diatom, however, the absolute value of ? decreases with increase of [Pb2+]aq suggesting the metal adsorption on negative surface sites. These observations allowed us to construct a surface complexation model (SCM) for cadmium and lead binding by diatom surfaces that postulates the Constant Capacitance of the electric double layer and considers Cd and Pb complexation with mainly carboxylic and, partially, silanol groups. In the full range of investigated Cd concentration, the SCM is able to describe the concentration of adsorbed metal as a function of [Cd2+]aq without implying the presence of high affinity, low abundance sites, that are typically used to model the metal interactions with natural multi-component organic substances. At the same time, Cd fast initial reaction requires the presence of ?highly reactive sites? those concentration represents only 2.5 3% of the total amount of carboxylic sites. For reversible adsorption experiments, the dominating carboxylic groups, whose concentration is allowed to vary within the uncertainty of experimental acid base titrations, are sufficient to reproduce the metal adsorption isotherms. Results of this study strongly suggest that laboratory experiments performed in a wide range of metal to biomass ratios, represent robust and relatively simple method for assessing the distribution of metals between aqueous solution and planktonic and periphytic biomass in natural settings.