Glossary

Terms for Architecture, Green Building & Energy

This glossary includes more than 300 solar terms, as well as hundreds of additional sustainable design and construction terms.

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Acidification

Definition: Acidifying compounds may in a gaseous state either dissolve in water or fix on solid particles. They reach ecosystems through dissolution in rain or wet deposition. Acidification affects trees, soil, buildings, animals, and humans. The two compounds principally involved in acidification are sulfur and nitrogen compounds. Their principal human source is fossil fuel and biomass combustion. Other compounds released by human sources, such as hydrogen chloride and ammonia, also contribute to acidification. (measured in mg H+ equivalents)