Sedimentary soil was selected as the original sample (SOS). The adsorption fractions were obtained by the removal of dissolved organic matter (SRDOM), removal of minerals (SRM), removal of free fat (SRLF), and removal of nonhydrolyzable organic carbon (SNHC) respectively to investigate the adsorption characteristic of oxytetracycline (OTC) by different fractions of organic matter in sedimentary soil. The adsorption mechanism was investigated by elemental analysis, infrared spectra, and UV-visible spectroscopy. The results showed that the DOM in the sedimentary soil inhibited the adsorption of OTC, but the adsorption of different fractions of organic matter was quite different. The sorption kinetics of OTC were fitted to the pseudo-second-order model and the adsorption capacity of each fraction was: SNHC≈SRDOM > SOS > SRLF> SRM. The adsorption processes of OTC by different fractions were spontaneous. Alkaline pH condition had an effect on the adsorption of four fractions except for SNHC, while neutral and acidic pH affects SOS and SRDOM more obviously, the SNHC fraction was almost free from pH varies. Mechanism analysis showed that the main factors determining the adsorption capacity were the aromaticity and polarity of organic matter fractions. For the organic matter-based fractions (SRM, SRLF, and SNHC), the adsorption coefficient was positively correlated with the aromaticity. Furthermore, for SOS and SRDOM based on inorganic minerals, it was not only related to aromaticity, but also the content and composition of inorganic minerals.
Keywords: Adsorption; Different fractions; Organic matter; Oxytetracycline; Sedimentary soil.