The line graph illustrates the trends in acid rain emissions from four sectors in the UK between 1990 and 2007, measured in millions of tonnes. These sectors include transport and communication, electricity, gas, and water supply, domestic, and other industries.
Overall, the total emissions of acid rain gases significantly decreased over the 17-year period, with the most substantial decline observed in the electricity, gas, and water supply sectors. By contrast, emissions from the transport and communication sector remained relatively stable throughout, with minor fluctuations.
In 1990, the electricity, gas, and water supply sector was the largest contributor to acid rain emissions, releasing approximately 3.3 million metric tonnes. This figure experienced a dramatic decline, falling steadily to just 0.5 million metric tonnes by 2007, representing a reduction of almost 85%. Similarly, emissions from other industries decreased significantly, starting at around 1.2 million metric tonnes in 1990 and dropping by more than half to 0.5 million metric tonnes by 2007.
Emissions from the domestic sector remained consistently low throughout the period, starting at roughly 0.6 million metric tonnes in 1990 and declining gradually to 0.2 million metric tonnes by the end of the period. In contrast, the transport and communication sector exhibited less variation. Beginning at around 0.6 million metric tonnes, emissions peaked marginally at 1 million metric tonnes in 2005 before returning to approximately 0.6 million metric tonnes in 2007.