Sulfate

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A chemical compound containing the sulfate (SO4) radical. Sulfates are salts or esters of sulfuric acid formed by replacing one or both of the hydrogens with a metal (e.g., sodium) or a radical (e.g., ammonium or ethyl). Sulfates are widely distributed in nature. Barium sulfate occurs as barite; calcium sulfate is found as gypsum, alabaster, and selenite; and Epsom salts is magnesium sulfate. [Source: USDA National Plant Materials Manual]

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