Current emphasis upon the extensive investigation of atmospheric environmental system has drawn attention to increased emissions of nitrogen and sulphur compounds to the atmosphere by human activities. In this overview we discuss recent work on NO₃⁻ and SO₄²⁻ in atmospheric aerosols and present the concentration ranges of NO₃⁻ and  SO₄²⁻ in both aerosol themselves and their records within precipitation and snow and ice stratum in a global scale. In addition, particular effort has been made in classification of NO₃⁻ and SO₄²⁻ “backgrounds" in snow and ice records,and analysis of the compositions and characteristics of the backgrounds. This is done to establish a better understanding of order of magnitude of nitrogen and sulphur compound emissions to atmosphere from different sources as well as to add more information to our global understanding of NO₃⁻ and SO₄²⁻ cycling in atmosphere.