The asphaltic components strongly adsorbed on a number of asphalt-aggregate interfaces were isolated and characterized both quantitatively and qualitatively, and their relative displacement from an aggregate surface by a moisture-damage test was determined. Oxygen- and nitrogen-containing compounds were concentrated on the aggregate surfaces. Of the five different oxygen-containing functional types examined, carboxylic acids were the compound type most strongly adsorbed by the aggregates and were also the compound type most readily displaced from the aggregates by water. Dicarboxylic anhydrides were also selectively displaced by water; sulfoxides showed either selective retention or displacement with different asphalt-aggregate systems. Nitrogen compounds and ketones were the compound types least affected by the moisture-damage test. Model compound studies were used to support the relationships determined between asphalt functional groups and their affinity for various aggregate surfaces.