Pollutant runoff refers to water carrying pollutants, such as chemicals or sediments, from land surfaces into bodies of water. It is a significant source of water pollution and can have detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems.
Think of pollutant runoff as rainwater washing away dirt and debris from a parking lot into nearby storm drains, eventually reaching rivers or lakes. Similarly, when it rains, pollutants on the ground are carried by runoff into water bodies.
Eutrophication: Eutrophication is the excessive enrichment of nutrients in a body of water, often caused by agricultural runoff or sewage discharge, leading to increased plant growth and oxygen depletion.
Point source pollution: Point source pollution refers to pollution that comes from a single identifiable source, such as an industrial pipe discharging contaminants directly into a river.
Non-point source pollution: Non-point source pollution refers to diffuse sources of pollution that cannot be traced back to a single point but rather come from multiple sources across an area, like agricultural fields or urban areas.
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