Two series of supports obtained with a methacryloyl-beta-cyclodextrin derivative grafted or coated onto silica have been tested for their ability to sorb aromatic pollutants in aqueous solutions. The study of the kinetics of pollutant uptake revealed that all supports exhibit a fast rate of sorption. The adsorption isotherms were correlated with the Langmuir and Freundlich models and permit to conclude that the sorption mechanisms depend on the structure and the concentration of the pollutant. Finally, cycles of stripping and sorption were investigated in a column system to evaluate the stability of the sorption properties. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.