A study was carried out on the pH values obtained from bulk (wet and dry) precipitation samples collected simultaneously in two cities in Cantabria (Spain), Santander and Torrelavega over a period of a year. It was observed that the annual weighted average values for the pH of precipitation, 4.42 and 4.21, respectively, differ significantly although the difference is less than that existing between their pollution levels. The difference is greater when total annual H+ depositions are compared. The study also demonstrated the strong influence of long-range transport effect on acidity and to a lesser degree the effect of mid-range transport. © 1988 Kluwer Academic Publishers.