Laboratory experimental data include: 1) transport and retention of graphene oxide nanomaterials (GONMs) in packed-columns under different KCl and CaCl2 concentrations in pure sand and iron oxide-coated sands; 2) average hydrodynamic size of GONMs using dynamic light scattering (DLS); and 3) zeta potentials of GONMs. Other data include: Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) interaction energy using surface element integration (SEI) technique. This dataset is associated with the following publication: Wang, D., C. Shen, Y. Jin, C. Su, L. Chu, and D. Zhou. Role of solution chemistry on the deposition and release of graphene oxide nanoparticles in uncoated and iron oxide-coated sand. SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT. Elsevier BV, AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS, 579: 776-785, (2017).