Mechanism/Processes

Acid rain, or acid deposition, is a broad term that includes any form of precipitation with acidic
components, such as sulfuric or nitric acid that fall to the ground from the atmosphere in wet or
dry forms.  This can include rain, snow, fog, hail or even dust that is acidic.  Acid rain results
when sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) are emitted into the atmosphere and
transported by wind and air currents.  The SO2 and NOX react with water, oxygen and other
chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids.  These then mix with water and other materials
before falling to the ground.

While a small portion of the SO 2 and NOx that cause acid rain is from natural sources such as
volcanoes, most of it comes from the burning of fossil fuels.  The major sources of SO2 and
NOX in the atmosphere are:

 Burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity.  Two thirds of SO2 and one fourth of
NOX in the atmosphere come from electric power generators.
 Vehicles and heavy equipment.
 Manufacturing, oil refineries and other industries.

Winds can blow SO2 and NOX over long distances and across borders making acid rain a
problem for everyone and not just those who live close to these sources. 

Wet deposition is what we most commonly think of as acid rain.  The sulfuric and nitric acids
formed in the atmosphere fall to the ground mixed with rain, snow, fog, or hail.  

Acidic particles and gases can also deposit from the atmosphere in the absence of moisture
as dry deposition.  The acidic particles and gases may deposit to surfaces (water bodies,
vegetation, buildings) quickly or may react during atmospheric transport to form larger particles
that can be harmful to human health. When the accumulated acids are washed off a surface by
the next rain, this acidic water flows over and through the ground, and can harm plants and
wildlife, such as insects and fish.

The amount of acidity in the atmosphere that deposits to earth through dry deposition depends on
the amount of rainfall an area receives.  For example, in desert areas the ratio of dry to wet
deposition is higher than an area that receives several inches of rain each year.

Reference:
What is Acid Rain? (2019, December 20). Retrieved February 9, 2020, from
https://www.epa.gov/acidrain/what-acid-rain
Title: Aura OMI observations of regional SO2 and NO2 pollution changes from 2005 to 2015
Authors: Nickolay A. Krotkov1, Chris A. McLinden, Can Li, Lok N. Lamsal, Edward A.
Celarier, Sergey V. Marchenko, William H. Swartz, Eric J. Bucsela, Joanna Joiner1, Bryan N.
Duncan1, K. Folkert Boersma, J. Pepijn Veefkind, Pieternel F. Levelt, Vitali E. Fioletov, Russell
R. Dickerson, Hao He, Zifeng Lu, and David G. Streets
Published: April 13, 2016
Abstract
The Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) onboard NASA’s Aura satellite has been providing
global observations of the ozone layer and key atmospheric pollutant gases, such as nitrogen
dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2), since October 2004. The data products from the same
instrument provide consistent spatial and temporal coverage and permit the study of
anthropogenic and natural emissions on local-to-global scales. In this paper, we examine changes
in SO2 and NO2 over some of the world’s most polluted industrialized regions during the first
decade of OMI observations. In terms of regional pollution changes, we see both upward and
downward trends, sometimes in opposite directions for NO2 and SO2, for different study areas.
The trends are, for the most part, associated with economic and/or technological changes in
energy use, as well as regional regulatory policies. Over the eastern US, both NO 2 and SO2 levels
decreased dramatically from 2005 to 2015, by more than 40 and 80%, respectively, as a result of
both technological improvements and stricter regulations of emissions. OMI confirmed large
reductions in SO2 over Eastern Europe’s largest coal-fired power plants after installation of flue
gas desulfurization devices. The North China Plain has the world’s most severe SO 2 pollution,
but a decreasing trend has been observed since 2011, with about a 50% reduction in 2012– 2015,
due to an economic slowdown and government efforts to restrain emissions from the power and
industrial sectors. In contrast, India’s SO 2 and NO2 levels from coal power plants and smelters
are growing at a fast pace, increasing by more than 100 and 50%, respectively, from 2005 to
2015. Several SO2 hot spots observed over the Persian Gulf are probably related to oil and gas
operations and indicate a possible underestimation of emissions from these sources in bottom-up
emission inventories. Overall, OMI observations have proved valuable in documenting rapid
changes in air quality over different parts of the world during last decade. The baseline
established during the first 11 years of OMI is indispensable for the interpretation of air quality
measurements from current and future satellite atmospheric composition missions.
Salient Findings: The first decade of OMI observations have yielded profound insights into the
spatial distribution and temporal trends in SO2 and NO2 pollution around the world. For regions
with detailed bottom-up emissions estimates or continuous emissions monitoring, OMI shows
generally good agreement with these independent data sources. OMI-derived trends also agree
well with those from available in situ measurements and deposition data. This adds confidence to
the use of OMI to track locations, changes, and transport patterns of SO 2 and NO2 over areas of
the planet lacking local observations. In many regions pollution levels have changed
dramatically reflecting underlying changes in SO2 and NO2 emissions.
Recommendation/Proposal
Almerino, Justin Scientists have found different ways to reduce the amount of sulfur
Klein A. dioxide released from coal burning power plants. One option is to use
coal that contains less sulfur. Another option is to “wash” the coal to
remove some of the sulfur. The power plant can also install equipment
called scrubbers, which remove the sulfur dioxide from gases leaving
the smokestack. Because nitrogen oxides are created in the process of
burning coal and other fossil fuels, some power plants are changing the
way they burn coal.
Calsiyao, Each person can do their part by reducing their vehicle use. Using
Francine Meier public transportation, walking, riding a bike or carpooling is a good
S. start. People can also reduce their use of electricity, which is widely
created with fossil fuels, or switch to a solar plan. Many electricity
companies offer solar packages to their customers that require no
installation and low costs
Gonzales, To help cut down on air pollution from cars, you can carpool or take
George R. public transportation, such as buses and trains. Also, ask your parents
to walk or bike with you to a nearby store or friend’s house instead of
driving. Promote cleaner gas fuel and electrical cars.
Lardizabal, A great way to reduce acid rain is to produce energy without using
Craig Jesse B. fossil fuels. Instead, people can use renewable energy sources, such as
solar and wind power. Renewable energy sources help reduce acid rain
because they produce much less pollution. These energy sources can be
used to power machinery and produce electricity.
Madrid, Cars and trucks are major sources of the pollutants that cause acid rain.
Germaine Rae While one car alone does not produce much pollution, all the cars on
G. the road added together create lots of pollution. Therefore, car
manufacturers are required to reduce the amount of nitrogen oxides and
other pollutants released by new cars. One type of technology used in
cars is called a catalytic converter. This piece of equipment has been
used for over 20 years to reduce the amount of nitrogen oxides released
by cars. Some new cars can also use cleaner fuels, such as natural gas.