Where is acid rain most likely to occur?

Acid rain is most likely to occur downwind of areas with high concentrations of power plants and factories due to the emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides produced by these facilities. These pollutants can react in the atmosphere with water vapor to form sulfuric and nitric acids, which then fall to the ground as acid rain. Industrial areas often release large quantities of these harmful gases, and the prevailing winds carry them over surrounding regions, resulting in increased acidity in rainfall in those downwind areas.

While high vegetation areas, mountain ranges, and coastal regions may experience rain that could be acidic to varying degrees, they do not have the same direct correlation with the emissions from industrial activities. High vegetation areas may actually help to buffer the effects of acid rain due to the ability of plants to absorb some pollutants. Mountain ranges can alter weather patterns and may trap some pollutants, but they are not primary sources of the chemicals that lead to acid rain. Coastal regions may experience different environmental influences but are not typically seen as hotspots for the conditions that create acid rain compared to industrial areas. Thus, the direct link between industrial emissions and acid rain makes the second option the most accurate.