The time-dependent biosorption capacity of the cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis was studied in regards to nickel and chromium removal from the industrial effluents of electroplating units. The elemental content of the S. platensis biomass and the metal concentrations of industrial effluents were traced through two analytical techniques, neutron activation analysis and atomic adsorption spectrometry, respectively. A rapid rate of chromium adsorption (initial concentration 9.4 mg/L) was observed within the first 15 min of the reaction. Furthermore, a high amount of iron (48%) and nickel (94%) was removed from the chromium containing industrial effluents by the spirulina biomass. During a 1 h period of the reaction, the biomass of cyanobacterium accumulated from the nickel containing industrial effluents 66% of the initial nickel content (14.1 mg/L), 52% of the initial iron, 30% of the initial zinc, and 50% of the intial barium content. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to identify functional groups responsible for metal binding.