An experimental study of transient drop rise velocities and mass transfer rates was carried out in the system toluene/acetone/water which is known to show interfacial instabilities. The rise velocity of toluene drops was studied without added solute (acetone) in the diameter range 1-3 mm and with added solute for 2mm drops. The initial concentration of the transferred solute was varied from 0 to 30g/L. The transient drop rise velocities were used to quantify the Marangoni effect since the drag coefficient depends on the strength of the Marangoni convection patterns caused by interfacial tension gradients. In addition, mass transfer measurements were carried out in order to determine the modification of the mass transfer rate due to Marangoni convection. Velocity and mass transfer measurements were then correlated via the contact time. Results reveal the existence of a range in which a critical value for the solute concentration can be defined for Marangoni convection. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.