Final answer:
The pollutant removed by scrubbers using lime is sulfur dioxide (SO2). These scrubbers prevent the formation of acid rain by reacting lime with SO2 to form calcium sulfite dihydrate.
Step-by-step explanation:
Scrubbers used in power plants are designed to remove various pollutants from stack gases. In particular, these scrubbers utilize lime (CaO) to remove sulfur dioxide (SO2) from the gases before they are released into the atmosphere.
The lime reacts with SO2 to form calcium sulfite dihydrate (CaSO3.2H2O), thus preventing the formation of acid rain. While scrubbers are capable of removing a range of pollutants, including NOx, particulate matter, and mercury, the specific removal of SO2 via lime scrubbing is well-documented and widely employed.