How can we reduce this threat

Remembering from which nitric acid and sulfuric acid originate, is

key to working out ways, of reducing acid rain's effects, also looking
at current methods and how they are ineffective. For example power
stations in Europe have been using tall chimneys, in the hope to
disperse the sulfur dioxide elsewhere, with the mindset that dilution,
was the solution to pollution, however instead the wind carried these
chemicals into Scandinavia where they settled in lakes in Sweden, to
the point where all the fish died. Originally limestone was added to
neutralize the acidity this was partially successful, for example
salmon and some trout returned to polluted lakes from which the
rivers flowed in Wales. However this is not the most efficient means
of cleaning up acidity the reason for this is because When acid reacts
to the CaCO3, it needs a large surface area and an extensive amount
of time for adequate results. In addition, the limestone will become
coated as a result of precipitation. Once coated, the limestone must be
treated or replaced in order to restore its neutralization ability. The
resulting sludge should be removed before it finds itself in the sewer
adding to the salt and Total dissolved solids (TDS) levels. In
summary, Limestone will neutralize strong acid waste, but it requires
maintenance and monitoring. Limestone should not be relied upon in
a passive system to neutralize acid waste.
A much more reliable method is called scrubbing, this is a process
that stops the sulfuric acid from reaching the atmosphere. This is done
by adding alkalines such as seawater which contains calcium
carbonate (Na2CO3) or Lime (CaO). Therefore an acidic oxide (sulfur
dioxide) and basic oxide (calcium oxide) make calcium sulfite
(CaSO3) the sulfite can be reacted with oxygen to make calcium
sulfate a much less acidic and toxic molecule. Studies have shown
that these scrubbers have greatly reduced our sulfur emissions and
given many northern hemisphere countries much cleaner air. However
this does reduce a factories energy output by as much as 10 percent
making the energy more expensive.
In oil refiners sulfur is removed by reacting it with hydrogen this
reaction is known as hydrodesulphurization takes place at high
temperature with a metal catalyst to produce hydrogen sulphide, when
this oil is refined into fuels it is virtually free of sulfur.

To reduce the emission of nitric acid from the exhaust pipes from
motor vehicles, essentially they convert all the oxides of nitrogen
back into nitrogen and oxygen. In summary various methods can done
to reduce the effects and frequency of acid rain at a small industrial
cost, such as scrubbing and adding limestone to rivers and lakes, all
ultimately neutralizing the acidity and preventing acid rain from
occurring.