Acid Rain

Acid Rain isnt what it used to be. 50 years ago, acid rained on much of Europe, particulary because the prevailing wind from the West blew over the UK, then known as the 'dirty man of Europe'.

'Decarbonisation' has done much to improve the air quality, especially in relation to contaminants of coal..partcularly sulphur.

Sulphur oxides attach to carbon particles, causing acid rain great distances away - usually downwind. Coal is burnt in power stations, creating carbon particles and sulphur dioxide. Add a damp climate and 'UK Ltd' produces particles of sulphuric acid. This is carried on the prevailing winds (mainly westward) to Europe.

It is suspected that air pollution causes moderate or severe damage to almost 15% of the total timber in 17 European countries, raising tensions between nation states.

However, the UK is not to blame for it all. Plankton produces some too.

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