The acidity is determined by the number of hydrogen ions in a substance. pH is the common measure used to determine the acidity of water. Lower pH values describe higher levels of acidity. Rain is considered acidic if it has an H+ ion greater than 2.5 and a pH less than 5.6. Naturally, all rain is acidic because the reaction between water and atmospheric carbon dioxide, forms carbonic acid. This carbonic acid partially dissociates and produces hydrogen ions which lowers pH levels. Natural acid deposition has a pH no lower than 5.0 while human forced acid deposition has a pH as low as 2.6 (7.0 is neutral).
Source: Acid rain and its ecological consequences.
The Oxford Companion to Global Change
The Oxford Companion to Global Change
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