Process for removing SO2 and NOx from a gaseous stream

A process for removing both sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from a gaseous stream where the stream is contacted in a first wet scrubbing unit with an alkaline earth compound to remove sulfur dioxide and humidify the gaseous stream, passing of the humidified gaseous stream to a coronal discharge unit to convert NOx therein to nitric acid, and then contacting the gaseous stream to a second wet scrubbing unit and contacting the gaseous stream with an alkaline earth compound to remove the nitric acid as an alkaline earth nitrate prior to discharge of the gaseous stream to the atmosphere. The effluent from the first wet scrubbing unit is maintained separate from the effluent from the second wet scrubbing unit during the removal steps so as to provide pure recoverable by-products.