This paper examines the historical change in the pH of natural rainwater due to increased atmospheric CO2 from 1800 until 2007, giving predicted change in 2100. During 1800–2007, the rainwater pH at 25°C and 1 atm is calculated to decrease by 0.06 units, from 5.68 to 5.62. In 2100, the predicted rainwater pH is calculated at 5.49 using the projected pCO2 (700 ppmv; IS92a) at 25°C and 1 atm. Equilibrium calculations were made in an attempt to elucidate the calcium carbonate (calcite) dissolution by rainwater. From 1800 to 2007, the dissolution of calcite with pCO2 of those time at 25°C and 1 atm increase the dissolved calcium concentration from 466 to 516 μmol kg−1. This value is calculated to reach 633 μmol kg−1 in the year 2100. Rainwater is found to become more acidic with decreasing temperature. In the year 2007 (pCO2 = 384 ppmv), a total difference of 0.08 units in rainwater pH is calculated between areas at 0°C and 30°C. The equilibrium pH with respect to calcite was found to increase with decreasing temperature. At lower temperatures, rainwater pH is found to decrease, whilst CaCO3 dissolution increases. Limestone landmarks and buildings might be affected through the dissolution of calcium carbonate by rainwater acidification. The effects of rainwater acidification on overall chemical weathering may result in influences on agriculture, forestry, landslides and flooding. Changes in Rainwater pH associated with Increasing Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide after the Industrial Revolution | Water, Air, & Soil Pollution | Springer Nature Link Skip to main content Advertisement Changes in Rainwater pH associated with Increasing Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide after the Industrial Revolution Published: 18 July 2008 Volume 196 , pages 263–271 ( 2009 ) Cite this article Save article View saved research Water, Air, and Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript Abstract This paper examines the historical change in the pH of natural rainwater due to increased atmospheric CO 2 from 1800 until 2007, giving predicted change in 2100. During 1800–2007, the rainwater pH at 25°C and 1 atm is calculated to decrease by 0.06 units, from 5.68 to 5.62. In 2100, the predicted rainwater pH is calculated at 5.49 using the projected pCO 2 (700 ppmv; IS92a) at 25°C and 1 atm. Equilibrium calculations were made in an attempt to elucidate the calcium carbonate (calcite) dissolution by rainwater. From 1800 to 2007, the dissolution of calcite with pCO 2 of those time at 25°C and 1 atm increase the dissolved calcium concentration from 466 to 516 μmol kg −1 . This value is calculated to reach 633 μmol kg −1 in the year 2100. Rainwater is found to become more acidic with decreasing temperature. In the year 2007 (pCO 2  = 384 ppmv), a total difference of 0.08 units in rainwater pH is calculated between areas at 0°C and 30°C. The equilibrium pH with respect to calcite was found to increase with decreasing temperature. At lower temperatures, rainwater pH is found to decrease, whilst CaCO 3 dissolution increases. Limestone landmarks and buildings might be affected through the dissolution of calcium carbonate by rainwater acidification. The effects of rainwater acidification on overall chemical weathering may result in influences on agriculture, forestry, landslides and flooding. This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access. 5 Similar content being viewed by others Toxic Metals Reduction in Acid Mine Drainage Through the Use of Calcium Carbonate: A Case Study in Canchayllo, Peru” Chapter © 2024 Constraining the carbonate system in soils via testing the internal consistency of pH, pCO 2 and alkalinity measurements Article Open access 30 March 2020 Chemical characteristics and source analysis on ionic composition of rainwater collected in the Carpathians “Cold Pole,” Ciuc basin, Eastern Carpathians, Romania Article 01 October 2017 Explore related subjects Discover the latest articles, books and news in related subjects, suggested using machine learning. Calcite dissolution kinetics in the system CaCO 3 –CO 2 –H 2 O at high undersaturation. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta , 71 , 1398–1410. doi: 10.1016/j.gca.2006.10.024 . Article CAS Google Scholar Keeling, C. D. (2007). Atmospheric CO 2 calculations derived from in situ air samples collected at Mauna Loa observatory, Hawaii. Accessed at http://cdiac.ornl.gov/ftp/trends/co2/maunaloa.co2 Likens, G. E., & Bormann, F. H. (1974). Acid rain: A serious regional environmental problem. Science , 184 , 1176–1179. doi: 10.1126/science.184.4142.1176 . Article CAS Google Scholar Morse, J. W., Andersson, A. J., & Mackenzie, F. T. (2006). Bogan View author publications Search author on: PubMed   Google Scholar Shigeru Ohde View author publications Search author on: PubMed   Google Scholar Takeshi Arakaki View author publications Search author on: PubMed   Google Scholar Ikuko Mori View author publications Search author on: PubMed   Google Scholar Cameron W. McLeod View author publications Search author on: PubMed   Google Scholar Corresponding author Correspondence to Shigeru Ohde . Rights and permissions Reprints and permissions About this article Cite this article Bogan, R.A.J., Ohde, S., Arakaki, T. et al. Changes in Rainwater pH associated with Increasing Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide after the Industrial Revolution. Copy shareable link to clipboard Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative Keywords Acid rain pH Limestone Carbon dioxide Carbonate dissolution Access this article Log in via an institution Subscribe and save Springer+ from €37.37 /Month Starting from 10 chapters or articles per month Access and download chapters and articles from more than 300k books and 2,500 journals Cancel anytime View plans Buy Now Buy article PDF 39,95 € Price includes VAT (Indonesia) Instant access to the full article PDF. Institutional subscriptions Advertisement