Dictionary of Environmental Health
Rainwater that has absorbed gaseous pollutants such as CARBON DIOXIDE, nitrogen oxides or sulphur dioxide sufficient to lower the PH to become distinctly acidic; this is usually taken as being lower than around pH 5.0.
The gases are commonly derived from ANTHROPOGENIC activity, such as from the combustion of HYDROCARBON fuel, although the phenomenon can occur naturally as a result of emissions of aerosols following volcanic activity. The deposition of acid rain over a period of time will lower the pH of the soil and of run-off waters, sufficiently in extreme cases to cause damage to forests, vegetation and aquatic environments.
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