Characteristics of the Acid Rain Variation in China During 1993-2006 and Associated Causes

The acid rain observation network of China Meteorological Administration was established in 1989 with 22 stations. From 1993 to 2005, more than 80 stations were included and maintained in the network.In 2006-2007,the number of stations in the network went up to 294. In consideration of the data continuity,data used in this paper are the 14-yr observations of the 80 stations from 1993 to 2006. Based on the 14-yr observation of acid rain, analysis shows that the acid rain in China dominates in the vast regions south of the Yangtze River. Limited presence of acid rain is observed in the northern part of China. The 14-yr acid rain data reveal an expanding tendency for acid rain area, with the north of China being a growing zone,and the South China remaining virtually unchanged. The most severely polluted zone of acid rain gradually moves from Southwest China to Central China and the middle part of South China. With regard to the acid intensity of rain, the period of 1993-1998 bears the highest acid intensity; the period of 1999-2002 shows a bit weakening intensity; and in the period of 2003-2006, the acid intensity of rain increases again, basically up to the average acidity of the period of 19931998 by the end of 2006. In addition, rain acidity in the north of China increases markedly. As to the causes of the acid rain situation in China, this paper examined the sulfur dioxide emissions as well as the rainwater chemicals monitoring data.