Studies of equilibria and kinetics of the ion exchange process between the surrounding (water solution) and lichens prove that the number of mobile hydrogen ions bonded in lichens depends on the concentration of hydrogen ions in the precipitation with which the lichens are in contact and the type and concentration of other cations contained in the precipitation. The measurement of these values was suggested; as a result, it enabled to determine the pH of precipitation by determination of mobile cations bonded in exposed or naturally grown lichens. The studies were conducted on Hypogymnia physodes lichens. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.