The line graph illustrates the changes in acid rain emissions in the UK across four different sectors over a period of 17 years, from 1990 to 2007.
Overall, it is immediately apparent that emissions from the electricity, domestic, and other industrial sectors followed a downward trend, whereas the transport sector remained relatively volatile. Most notably, the Electricity, Gas and Water Supply sector, which was initially the highest contributor, experienced the most dramatic decline.
Looking at the details, the Electricity, Gas and Water Supply sector started at approximately 3.3 million tonnes in 1990. Subsequently, it plummeted to reach a low of roughly 0.5 million tonnes in 2007. Similarly, ‘Other industries’ followed a downward trajectory, falling gradually from just over 2 million tonnes to approximately 1.2 million tonnes.
By contrast, the trend for Transport and Communication was different. After fluctuating between 0.7 and 1 million tonnes, it finished the period at roughly the same level it began. Interestingly, by 2007, figures for Transport had overtaken those of the Electricity sector. Finally, emissions from the Domestic sector levelled out at just over 0.2 million tonnes after a minor decrease.