Student Research Reports
The Relationship Between Sulfur Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxide air Pollutants and the Acidity of Rainwater
Organization(s):Ottawa Hills Jr/Sr High School
Country:United States of America
Student(s):Eleonora Kammeyer, Hana Mashali
Grade Level:Secondary School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)
GLOBE Member(s):, Gloria Kreischer Gajewicz
Contributors:
Report Type(s):Virtual Science Symposium Report
Protocols:Precipitation, pH
Presentation Poster:
View Document
Language(s):English
Date Submitted:2026-02-02
The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the relationship between air pollution & the pH of rainwater. Acid rain forms when air pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide (SO₂) & nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), react with water in the atmosphere to produce acidic compounds, which can harm ecosystems, corrode buildings, & affect human health. Understanding the factors that influence rainwater acidity is important for assessing the environmental impacts of air pollution. Rainwater samples were collected across a variety of dates with varying levels of air pollution, & the samples’ pH levels were measured using pH paper. Seventeen total trials were conducted over multiple precipitation events, including snow & rain, to ensure sufficient data for analysis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether increased air pollution levels increase the acidity in local rainwater. Our specific, testable hypothesis was: If rainwater is collected during periods of higher air pollution (measured in µg/m³) then the pH of the rainwater will be lower (more acidic) than rainwater collected during periods of lower air pollution. The results we’ve concluded show that rainwater collected during times of higher levels of air pollution was measured at a higher acidity. The findings suggest that air pollutants, like sulfur dioxide & nitrogen oxides, contribute to the formation of increased acidity in rain by reacting with atmospheric moisture. This experiment shows the relationship between air pollution & the pH of rain, & especially highlights the environmental impacts of air pollution.