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Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a widely detected contaminant in groundwater. This study investigated fate of TCE in two similar soils with differing organic carbon contents. TCE was applied to soil columns in one 5 or 10 m1 quantity, then eluted with 50 or 100 m1 of water/day. The 1.4% organic carbon soil retarded TCE elution more than did the 0.53% soil. Biodegradation of TCE in the soils, based on effluent TCE and chlorides, was not enhanced by addition of ammonia. Warburg studies showed TCE inhibited biological activity in unacclimated soil. Acclimated soil of both types from 2.5 and 15 inch depths showed degradation of TCE at 55 mg/1 but not 110 or 550 mg/1. No evidence of cis or trans-1,2-dichloroethylene was found in column effluents. Degradation (biological and abiotic) accounted for 0.3% or less of TCE. Volatilization accounted for 15.6-32.8% of TCE applied.