A laboratory-based microcosm study was carried out to investigate the fate of [UL-C-14] 1,2-dichlororoethane and [UL-C-14]chlorobenzene in the presence and absence of reeds (Phragmites sp.), monitoring volatilization and mineralization of the pollutants. At the end of the incubation, the microcosms were destructively sampled to assess soil-bound and plant-associated fi actions. After 47 4 7.31%+/-1.30 for the reed system, and 6.20%+/-0.34 for the no-reed system of the added [UL-C-14]1,2-dichloroethane was mineralized. Of the added [UL-C-14]chlorobenzene, 26.99%+/-1.86 for the reed system and 15.91%+/-2.64 for the no-reed system was mineralized. However, the dominant loss process for both compounds was volatilization. After 20 d, 59.0%+/-9.6 and 79.7+/-5.8 of the added [UL-C-14] 1,2-dichloroethane was volatilized in the reed and no-reed systems respectively. [UL-C-14]Chlorobenzene was volatilized to a smaller extent, with. 31.6%+/-1.8 for the reed system and 31.4%+/-3.1 in the no-reed system being volatilized. This study shows that reeds and the associated rhizosphere can enhance the degradation of semi-volatile compounds, such as chlorobenzene.}