SummarySurface charge titration measurements, performed on goethite in the presence of absorbed herbicide ions, indicate that the result of adsorption is to cause an increase in the positive charge of the mineral surface. The titration results, used in conjunction with adsorption measurements to calculate the exchange coefficients for the adsorption reactions, show that there is a significant selectivity in adsorption of the herbicides over the indifferent counterion nitrate. This is believed to be due to the existence of favourable van der Waals interactions between the adsorbed herbicide ions.