Final answer:
Power stations can reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides by using scrubbers to chemically remove these pollutants from smokestack emissions, adopting clean coal technologies to treat coal pre-combustion.
Step-by-step explanation:
Power stations can reduce the emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) through various methods. One effective technology is the use of scrubbers, which remove these pollutants before they leave the smokestacks. Scrubbers work by introducing a reactant, such as lime (CaO), that chemically interacts with sulfur dioxide to produce calcium sulfite dihydrate (CaSO₃.2H₂O). This process prevents the gas from being released into the atmosphere and contributing to acid rain.
Additionally, advancements in clean coal technology have led to the pre-treatment of coal to remove impurities before combustion, thus reducing sulfur and NOx releases. Moreover, the shift towards using low sulfur coal as a fuel has notably decreased sulfur emissions.
For vehicles, the use of catalytic converters has proven to be efficient in reducing emissions from engines by converting NOx back into nitrogen (N₂) and oxygen (O₂), as well as transforming carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O).
By implementing these technologies and methods, power stations can significantly reduce their environmental impact and contribute to better air quality.