Halogenated phenolic compounds such as chlorophenols are capable of bi
nding to organic matter during the humification processes in soil. The
incorporation of phenols into organic macromolecules, i.e., covalent
bond formation, results from biologically or chemically catalyzed reac
tions. Standard batch sorption experiments performed in our laboratory
showed a significant enhancement in soil associated 4-monochloropheno
l (4-MCP) in the presence of oxygen possibly as a result of covalent b
inding. Sorbed 4-MCP was subjected to desorption by consecutive water
and solvent extractions. Nearly 15% of the soil-associated 4-MCP remai
ned unextracted. The unextracted [U-ring-C-14]-4-MCP consisted of a fr
action incorporated into humic and fulvic acids and a second fraction
associated with humin or soil mineral surface and recovered as (CO2)-C
-14 during soil combustion. Autoclaving the soil before 4-MCP addition
resulted in a reduction in the amount of the nonextractable C-14. The
addition of H2O2 caused a 4.4-fold increase in 4-MCP binding. Hydroge
n peroxide, which appears to enhance both biological and abiotic coupl
ing processes, can be added to soil as a stimulant of oxidative coupli
ng activity.