The possibility of amending Pb~(2+) contaminated soil (S) with paper sludge (P) was investigated through adsorption and desorption experiments. The adsorption process of Pb~(2+) in soil containing paper sludge (SP) could be well described by pseudo second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm model. After P addition, the equilibrium time decreased greatly (from 28 to 8 hr) and the Pb~(2+) maximum adsorbed amount (Q_(max)) increased by a factor of more than three to 102.04 mg/g. Q_(max) reached its maximum as S:P was 9:1 (m/m) after 10 days contact between S and P. Moreover, Pb~(2+) adsorbed amount increased with the rise of pH during the adsorption process. Desorption experiments indicated that Pb~(2+) adsorption in SP was irreversible. The metal ion fraction was analyzed with Energy Dispersive Spectrometer and Environmental Scan Electron Microscope. As a result, the addition of P to soil was found to induce a decrease in the mobile forms. The Pb~(2+) complexes formation in the presence of carbonates was the main adsorption mechanism.Overall, the paper sludge could be one of the promising soil amendments for the remediation of soil with Pb~(2+) contamination.