Sorption of nonpolar and polar compounds to soils - processes, measurements and experience with the applicability of the modified OECD-Guideline 106

The purpose of this study was to analyse the sorption of four chemical classes of chemicals by three representative soils varying in their sorption-relevant properties, e.g. organic carbon content, clay content, pH value, Cation Exchange Capacity etc. The sorption coefficients of 50 organic compounds of different polarity, including carboxylic acids, and corresponding ester, amines and amides were determined by batch equilibrium studies according to a modified version of the OECD-Guideline 106 Adsorption/Desorption. The mechanisms contributing to the sorption of organic chemicals to soils are summarized, and the use of koc as a generally applicable parameter is discussed.