The objective of this study was to elucidate the dynamic effects of natural organic matter (NOM) on the adsorption
of trace organic compounds by powdered activated carbon (PAC). The initial phase of the study involved the selection
and use of a set of model compounds with known properties as surrogates for NOM. The
use of methylene blue, a cationic dye, as a NOM surrogate was first investigated. Initial
results including the effect of this compound on the adsorption equilibrium and kinetics
of atrazine, the target trace adsorbate, are presented in this paper. Includes 9 references, figures.