The migration of zinc through river bank sediments is studied in column experiments. Even when the initial dissolved zinc is low enough to prevent precipitation of zinc minerals in the column, adsorption processes strongly retard the transport of the metal with respect to water. Organic matter, when dissolved, can significantly increase the mobility of Zn. Small pH variations are as important as organic matter in the control of the solubility and transport of zinc. The adsorption of zinc seems to control, at least partially, the solubility of organic matter (most likely as ternary surface complexes of the form solid-Zn-organics). Dissolved organic matter and pH are therefore master variables for the understanding of zinc transport through river bank sediments.