In conventional reverse osmosis processes for seawater desalination, a disinfection of the process stream with chlorine compounds is carried out for antifouling. After disinfection the reduction agent Na2S2O5 is used for the removal of residual chlorine in a strongly overstoichiometric way in order to protect the membranes from oxidational damages. To save chemicals a controlled dosing of Na2S2O5 based on a reliable concentration measurement is desirable. Therefore, a measuring method for the determination of the sulfur(IV) components bisulfite and sulfite in seawater is developed based on the combination of UV spectroscopy and a PLS regression method. Experimental results as well as the development of the regression model for sulfur species in ultrapure and seawater is described.