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The Relationship Between Cloud Formation and Precipitation pH

Student(s):Ashleigh Speakman and Olivia Stumbo
Grade Level:Secondary School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)
Contributors:
Report Type(s):International Virtual Science Symposium Report, Mission Earth Report
Protocols:Clouds, Precipitation
Presentation Poster: View Document
Language(s):English
Date Submitted:03/05/2025
Acid rain is a growing problem, as pollution and global warming worsens. Establishing a relationship and some correlation between a more acidic precipitation and cloud formations, we can identify an acidic environment more efficiently and easily. We hypothesized that if clouds are lower in the atmosphere, such as status or cumulus clouds, then they will produce precipitation of a lower pH because a more acidic atmosphere creates less cloud formation. Data was collected over a 68-day period. Data was collected in a container, then a pH strip was placed in the liquid. After leaving the strip for 1 minute, the color was analyzed and collected with its correlating pH. While collecting the precipitation, using the National Aeronautics and Space Administration cloud analyzation chart, we recorded cloud type that day. The results over time, showed the altostratus clouds had, on average, a lower pH in precipitation than other recorded clouds. Other cloud formations recorded were cumulus, cirrocumulus, and no clouds/clear sky; and they had an average pH higher than that of the altostratus. It was concluded that this data was unsupportive of our hypothesis, as altostratus clouds sit in the middle of the atmosphere, relatively. If the data were to support our hypothesis, the recorded pH of the cumulus cloud precipitation would be most acidic.



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