Sudden Oak Life by Lee Klinger

Sunset at rain pH station in Big Sur. Photo by Lee Klinger.

After some respite in the acidity in October, the rain pH in Big Sur has returned to more typical acidic levels this past November. There were six rainfall events in November 2011, totaling 3.31″. Rainfall pH values ranged from 4.64 to 4.94 in November, considerably more acidic than the previous month which saw rainfall pH’s as high as 5.13. Below are the data for November:

Rainfall amount and pH recorded in Big Sur for November 2011

In a related item, Science News reports of recent research on the detrimental effects of acid rain on sugar maples in the Great Lakes region.