This thesis reports an investigation of the interaction of oxygen and sulphur dioxide with zinc (0001) surfaces. Experiments were performed under ultra high vacuum conditions using the techniques of Auger electron spectroscopy (49), low energy electron diffraction (LEED) and reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED). Clean surfaces were prepared by cleavage in air, followed by ion bombardment and annealing in vacuum. Surfaces were exposed to oxygen with the crystal held at 295K and 165K. Exposure at 295K resulted in the growth of zinc oxide epitaxially on the surface to a depth of several, mono layers. During exposure at 165K two oxygen species were observed. One corresponded to zinc oxide which still grew epitaxially on the surface but with limited long range order. The second species was probably due to oxygen chemisorbed on zinc between the extensive oxide islands. The total oxygen uptake was 16% greater on the low temperature surface compared to that at room temperature. Exposure to sulphur dioxide at temperatures between 165K and 420K resulted in both sulphur and oxygen adsorption on the surface. The relative proportions of adsorbed sulphur and oxygen were found to be temperature and electron-beam sensitive with site competition between the two elements occurring. The adsorbate had the structure of zinc oxide epitaxially, oriented on the surface. A single oxygen species was observed but under certain experimental conditions, more than one sulphur species occurred.