Lignin based adsorption gels namely crosslinked lignophenol (CLP), crosslineked lignocatechol (CLC) and crosslinked lignopyrogallol (CLPy) were prepared by immobilizing phenol, catechol and pyrogallol onto lignin of wood powder and subsequent crosslinking. The study of adsorption behavior of the gels for some precious and base metals revealed that they were highly selective for Au(III) with competitive adsorption capacity. CLP exhibited outstanding selectivity for Au(III) since it was almost inert towards other metals. Furthermore, it reduced Au (III) to Au(I) and finally to elemental gold...