This paper gives a review of interrelationships between the adsorption behavior and chemical structures of natural organic material (NOM) associated with minerals. The interaction mechanisms of NOM on minerals such as ligand exchange, Van der Waals interaction electrostatic force, hydrophobic effects, ionic exchange and cation bridge are dealt with in detail, and the effects of compositional heterogeneities inherently existing in NOM like hydrophobic properties and molecular sizes upon the adsorption process are also investigated. Generally, the fractions with components of higher hydrophobe and molecular weight are preferentially absorbed by minerals. Solution chemical factors affecting the adsorption such as pH and ionic strength, and environmental effects of NOM- mineral complexation on the global carbon cycle, heavy metals and organic contaminants are described on the basis of abundant information from previous researches. The prospects for future researches in this aspect are given in the end of this paper.