Sulfate, dissolved

Overview

Sulfate contributes to the dissolved solids in water and can be added to a stream through irrigation return flow, which could cause sulfate concentrations to be increase because of evapotranspiration. Sulfate originates from evaporate deposits such as gypsum and the oxidation of sulfide minerals such as pyrite. High sulfate concentrations are undesirable because the water would be less useable as a drinking-water source.