Synthetic 13X zeolite was used to conduct static adsorption experiments on lysine. The effects of pH, temperature, time and zeolite dosage on adsorption rate were experimentally investigated. In the experiments, the ratio of adsorption reached a plateau value when the adsorption time was 30 min at the ambient temperature, and the saturation adsorption capacity of 13X zeolite on lysine in wastewater was 51.73 mg.g^-1 when pH= pKa1 = 2.2. The adsorption isotherm for the process was approximately linear, and the ion exchange was probably the major adsorption mechanism. 13X zeolite could be regenerated by saturated NaCl solution without the noticeable loss of capacity. The desorption rate was higher than 95 %. Experimental studies indicate that 13X zeolite is suitable for the purification of lysine-bearing wastewater.