Distribution coefficients of Au3+ on cellulose in 0.1 M NaNO3 are rather high in the pH range 2 to 8 (D ≈ 5·103 ml/g). They are appreciably lower in presence of NaCl or NaCN. Distribution coefficients of Ag+ are relatively low in 0.1 M NaNO3, appreciably higher in presence of NH4NO3 (D ≈ 103 ml/g in weakly acid media) and low in presence of NaCl, Na2S2O3 or NaCN. Distrubution coefficients of Hg2+ are low in 0.1 M NaNO3, and in presence of NaCN, but higher in 0.5 M NaCl (D ≈ 2·102 ml/ g). Responsible for the equilibria are mainly the special interactions between the predominant species with the sorbent under the given conditions, and less the complex equilibria in solution.