ABSTRACT
Although evidence has been mounting documenting a correlation between sulfates and deleterious health effects, environmental damage and ecological deterioration, further studies are still required for adequate comprehension of these relationships. Of special importance is the current controversy on the contribution of sulfur species, specifically sulfuric acid, to the acidification of water bodies (Acid Rain) in the U.S. as well as abroad. As a consequence, sulfate in the atmosphere has become an area of intense interest by many investigators. A growing awareness has also arisen of the necessity to measure accurately not only total sulfate but also to differentiate quantitatively among the various sulfate species to assess their respective roles in atmospheric chemistry. In response to perceived needs, the technology for sulfate measurement has developed rapidly in recent years.
