This paper aimed to study the removal of zinc using bentonite clay from the Northeastern Brazil, as an adsorbent. A study of the clay subjected to thermal and chemical treatment was performed in order to evaluate the optimization of the adsorption capacity of this material. For the evaluation of the kinetic equilibrium of the process, experimental tests were carried out in a finite bath system. The maximum amount of metal adsorbed was 0.151 mEq of metal per gram of calcined clay and 0.257 mEq of metal per gram of sodium saturated clay. The kinetic models of pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order and intraparticle diffusion were fitted to experimental data, and the pseudo-second order model provided the best result. The Langmuir and Freundlich models were used for the adsorption equilibrium analysis, and the Langmuir model provided the best fit for sorption isotherms. The physicochemical characterization of clay involved X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, chemical analysis by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, helium pyconometry and thermogravimetric analysis. The modified clay has potential use for removing Zn2+ ions replacing more expensive adsorbents, since good adsorption properties will be also associated with great availability and low cost.