Phenomenological and spectroscopic analysis on the effects of sediment ageing and organic carbon on the fate of a PCB congener spiked to sediment

► Study was designed to examine the full cycle fate and transport of PCBs. ► Effects of sediment ageing and organic carbon were spectroscopically investigated. ► PCB sorption results explained the unique role of amorphous and soot carbons. ► IR analysis implied the presence of preferred PCB sorption sites. ► Ageing effect on PCB binding was more prominent in the presence of OC.