acid precipitation


noun

meteorological precipitation that is relatively acidic.
Compare acid rain.

Origin of acid precipitation

First recorded in 1975–80

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.