The adsorption of sulfonated polyacrylamide (SPAM) as an enhanced oil recovery polymer onto carbonate rock particles was studied using UV-visible spectroscopy. The effect of the experimental parameters of polymer concentration, salinity and temperature was investigated. The results showed that polymer adsorption increased as the SPAM concentration increased, but decreased as temperature and water salinity increased. Adsorption of the polymer in the presence of the anionic surfactant sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) was evaluated in electrolyte media and in pure water. The adsorption equilibrium data for SPAM in electrolyte media was better fitted to the Langmuir isotherm than the Freundlich model. The thermodynamic parameters indicated that adsorption is a spontaneous and exothermic physisorption process.