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The potential acidity associated with dews, frosts, and fogs

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Abstract

Acidity associated with special meteorological events such as dews, frosts, and fogs may cause significant environmental effects ranging from increased leaching of plant metabolites to material corrosion. In addition, dews, frosts and fogs occur with much greater frequencies than rain or snow in most areas. Due to these facts, a theoretical study was conducted to determine the potential acidity associated with these events.

Results from this study showed the potential acidity associated with these events to be significant. Values of fog pH are extremely sparse, but indicate that they are slightly acidic. However, these experiments have probably under-estimated the actual acidic potential of dew and frost. Theoretical calculations indicate that synergistic acidity from dew or frost in combination with dry deposition may result in very strong localized acidities.

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Wisniewski, J. The potential acidity associated with dews, frosts, and fogs. Water Air Soil Pollut 17, 361–377 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00460104

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00460104

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