sulfat

Sulfat, often called sulfate in English, refers to a family of inorganic ions and salts derived from sulfuric acid. The principal species in solution is the sulfate ion, SO4^2-, in which sulfur is in the +6 oxidation state and the ion adopts a tetrahedral geometry. In acidic solution, hydrogen sulfate (HSO4^-) is common, and under stronger acid conditions sulfuric acid (H2SO4) forms.

Sulfates occur widely in nature as minerals and salts. Common minerals include gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O), anhydrite (CaSO4), barite (BaSO4), and kieserite (MgSO4). Many sulfate salts are water-soluble, while some, such as barium sulfate (BaSO4), are essentially insoluble and used in medical imaging and other applications.

Industrially, sulfates have numerous applications. They are used in the manufacture of glass and plaster, in paper and textiles, as drying agents, and as fillers or precursors for detergents. Magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) is also used medically as a laxative and in saline baths.

In the environment, sulfates originate from natural sources and from anthropogenic combustion of fossil fuels. Atmospheric sulfate aerosols influence climate and air quality, while sulfates in water contribute to hardness and scale formation. They also play a role in biogeochemical sulfur cycles and various industrial processes.

Biologically, sulfate is an essential nutrient for many organisms. It is incorporated into sulfur-containing biomolecules such as cysteine, methionine, proteoglycans, and certain detoxification pathways, reflecting its role in metabolism and physiology.