acid precipitation
noun
meteorological precipitation that is relatively acidic.
Compare
acid rain.
Origin of acid precipitation
First recorded in 1975–80
Words nearby acid precipitation
acid metaprotein,
acid number,
acid perfusion test,
acid phosphatase,
acid phosphate,
acid precipitation,
acid radical,
acid rain,
acid reflux,
acid rock,
acid salt
Scientific definitions for acid precipitation
acid precipitation
Any form of precipitation, including rain, snow, hail, fog, or dew, that is high in acid pollutants, especially sulfuric and nitric acid. Acid precipitation has a pH of less than 5.6 (the normal acidity of unpolluted atmospheric water) and is often less than pH 5.0. Also called acid rain See Note at acid deposition.