A review of literature on the correlation between organic matter and zinc content of soil and an investigation of zinc absorption using four different types of soil are presented. These soils, which were selected to represent a wide range of organic matter contents and genetic conditions, were prepared and submitted to studies of zinc adsorption and leaching. Soil and run-off water were analyzed for zinc content. It is concluded that organic matter is mainly responsible for the retention of zinc or other divalent metal by forming stable complexes. Groundwater having passed through soils high rather than low in organic matter will contain lesser quantities of divalent cations.