In this paper, three-dimensional mesoporous calcium carbonate-silica frameworks have been created from the straw tufa (ST) originating from porous fossil bryophyte by a thermal activation technique. A batch of adsorption kinetic and thermodynamic experiments were used to investigate the adsorption capacity of Cd(ii) onto the samples. The ST after thermal activation has shown a significant ability for the uptake of heavy metals. It exhibited maximum adsorption capacities of 12.76 mg g(-1), 14.09 mg g(-1), 17.00 mg g(-1), and 33.81 mg g(-1) for C...