Apparatuses, systems, and methods for removing acid gases from a gas stream are provided. Gas streams include waste gas streams or natural gas streams. The methods include obtaining a hypochlorite and a carbonate or bicarbonate in an aqueous mixture, and mixing the aqueous mixture with the gas stream to produce sulfates or nitrates from sulfur- based and nitrogen-based acidic gases. Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to produce the carbonate and/or bicarbonate scrubbing reagent from CO2 in the gas stream. Still others are disclosed.