Heavy metal ions such as Cu2+ and Pb2+ impose a significant risk to the environment and human health due to their high toxicity and non-degradable characteristics. Herein, Al(OH)(3)-polyacrylamide chemically modified with dithiocarbamates (Al-PAM-DTCs) was synthesized using formaldehyde, diethylenetriamine, carbon disulfide, and sodium hydroxide for rapid and efficient removal of Cu2+ and Pb2+. The synthesized adsorbent was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis, and transmission electron microscope measurements. Al-PAM-DTCs showed rapid removal of Cu2+ (<30 min) and Pb2+ (<15 min) with high adsorption capacities of 416.959 mg/g and 892.505 mg/g for Cu2+ and Pb2+ respectively. Al-PAM-DTCs also had high capacities in removing suspended solids and metal ions simultaneously in turbid bauxite suspensions. FTIR, thermodynamic study, and elemental mapping were used to determine the adsorption mechanism. The rapid, convenient, and effective adsorption of Cu2+ and Pb2+ indicated that Al-PAM-DTCs has great potential for practical applications in purification of other heavy metal ions from aquatic systems. (c) 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45431.