Ceramic sponges were explored with established test systems from literature concerning their mass transfer coefficients and effective interfacial area in counter-current flow. Absorption of carbon dioxide diluted with air in caustic soda solutions as well as desorption of carbon dioxide from water into air are used. An analysis of the measurement methods concerning reliability of the results for sponges was performed. The focus was set on effects like wetting of the sponge structure, which have to be taken into account for any further investigation of mass transfer characteristics in sponges. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.