zinc sulfate, chemical compound ZnSO4, a very water soluble, transparent, colorless, crystalline compound. It is commonly used as the heptahydrate, ZnSO4·7H2O, and is commonly called white vitriol; it occurs naturally as the mineral goslarite, and can be prepared by reacting zinc with sulfuric acid. It is used to supply zinc in animal feeds, fertilizers, and agricultural sprays; in making lithopone; in coagulation baths for rayon; in electrolyte for zinc plating; as a mordant in dyeing; as a preservative for skins and leather; and in medicine as an astringent and emitic.
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