The role of solution ionic strength in perhydroxyl (HOO.) and peroxyl (ROO.) radical initiated lipid peroxidation has been defined and investigated. Xanthine oxidase activity was used as the source of superoxide (O2-) and its conjugate acid (HOO.) in these experiments. While the enzyme's activity varied with changes in ionic strength, the effect could be factored out of the lipid peroxidation studies. Both HOO.- and ROO.-initiated peroxidations of linoleic acid were promoted by increases in solution ionic strength: the inclusion of 0.1 M of various alkali metal salts in the reaction resulted in up to a 4-fold increase in the overall peroxidation rate. Significant differences between alkali metal cations (Li+, Na+, K+, Cs+) and halogen anions (F-, Cl-, Br-) were not observed. Thus, the increased rates of lipid peroxidation were attributable to changes in solution ionic strength rather than specific ion-reaction interactions. Ionic stimulation of lipid peroxidation occurred only in the presence of preexisting fatty acid hydroperoxides (LOOHs), which provided additional support for the hydrogen atom transfer mechanism previously proposed [Aikens, J., and Dix, T. A. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 15091] for the HOO./LOOH initiation process. Physiologically appropriate salt concentrations were used in these studies, hence the results may have biological significance.