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NATURAL pH OF RAIN. Equilibrium with natural CO 2 (280 ppmv) results in a rain pH of 5.7:. This pH can be modified by natural acids (H 2 SO 4 , HNO 3 , RCOOH…) and bases (NH 3 , CaCO 3 ) e natural rain has a pH in range 5-7. “Acid rain” refers to rain with pH < 5 e damage to ecosystems.
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NATURAL pH OF RAIN • Equilibrium with natural CO2 (280 ppmv) results in a rain pH of 5.7: • This pH can be modified by natural acids (H2SO4, HNO3, RCOOH…) and bases (NH3, CaCO3) e natural rain has a pH in range 5-7 “Acid rain” refers to rain with pH < 5 e damage to ecosystems
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF PRECIPITATION Neutralization by NH3 is illusory because NH4+g NH3 + H+ in ecosystem
CONTRAST TO THE AEROSOL DISTRIBUTION: Sulfate Nitrate Ammonium Highest concentrations in industrial Midwest (coal-fired power plants) Acidity Park et al. [2006]
AMMONIUM AND SULFATE TRENDS, 1985-2004 NH4+ SO42- Lehmann et al. [2007]
TREND IN FREQUENCY OF ACID RAIN (pH < 5) 1994-1996 2002-2004 Lehmann et al. [2007]
BUT ECOSYSTEM ACIDIFICATION IS PARTLY A TITRATION PROBLEM FROM ACID INPUT OVER MANY YEARS Acid flux FH+ Acid-neutralizing capacity (ANC) from CaCO3 and other bases
DEPLETION OF BASE CATIONS FROM ACID RAIN(Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire)