Acid+Rain-SO2

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" Scientists discovered, and have confirmed, that sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) are the primary causes of acid rain. In the US, About 2/3 of all SO2 and 1/4 of all NOx comes from electric power generation that relies on burning fossil fuels like coal."

" **Effects of Acid Rain**

Acid rain causes acidification of lakes and streams and contributes to damage of trees at high elevations (for example, red spruce trees above 2,000 feet) and many sensitive forest soils. In addition, acid rain accelerates the decay of building materials and paints, including irreplaceable buildings, statues, and sculptures that are part of our nation's cultural heritage. Prior to falling to the earth, SO2 and NOx gases and their particulate matter derivatives, sulfates and nitrates, contribute to visibility degradation and harm public health."

[|http://blog.reports-research.com/wp-content/uploads/so2%20emission%20china(1).jpg]

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 * || Year || Tons of SO2 emitted || Tons of NOx emitted ||
 * 1 || 2000 || 11,202,078.2 || 5,104,597.4 ||
 * 2 || 2001 || 10,638,086.3 || 4,707,296.0 ||
 * 3 || 2002 || 10,196,209.9 || 4,474,615.8 ||
 * 4 || 2003 || 10,594,972.2 || 4,169,664.6 ||
 * 5 || 2004 || 10,259,212.0 || 3,763,579.4 ||
 * 6 || 2005 || 10,222,639.0 || 3,633,349.7 ||
 * 7 || 2006 || 9,392,502.0 || 3,409,272.8 ||
 * 8 || 2007 || 8,933,514.7 || 3,283,677.2 ||
 * 9 || 2008 || 7,616,249.6 || 2,996,315.4 ||
 * 10 || 2009 || 5,719,840.3 || 1,977,030.1 ||

Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency, Clean Air Markets, Acid Rain Program Level Emissions Quick Reports http://camddataandmaps.epa.gov/gdm/index.cfm?fuseaction=emissions.wizard
 * **Year** || **Number of Registered Vehicles in US** ||
 * **2000** || **225,821,241** ||
 * **2001** || **235,331,382** ||
 * **2002** || **234,624,135** ||
 * **2003** || **236,760,033** ||
 * **2004** || **243,010,549** ||
 * **2005** || **247,421,120** ||
 * **2006** || **250,844,644** ||
 * **2007** || **254,403,082** ||
 * **2008** || **n/a** ||
 * **2009** || **n/a** ||

Source: US Dept. of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics Table 1 – 11 []