The importance and complexity of environmental influences on the hot corrosion process in gas turbines is now recognized. The present paper seeks to emphasize that the hot corrosion phenomenon is the end product of a chain of events which starts at the air / sea interface (encompassing wind speed, relative humidity, intake siting, etc) and which extends through filter performance, compressor operating characteristics, and flame tube design before terminating at the hot corrosion site, i.e. the high-pressure rotors. Attention is particularly drawn to the influence exerted by both salt and carbon particulate material and their interrelationship with each engine stage upstream of the turbine.