Pollution that comes from many spread-out sources, like fertilizer runoff or city stormwater, is called?

• A. Nonpoint source pollution
• B. Point source pollution
• C. Ambient pollution
• D. Diffuse pollution

Answer: (A)

Nonpoint source pollution describes pollution that originates from many spread-out inputs rather than a single identifiable discharge. Fertilizer runoff from fields and city stormwater both wash across large areas and contribute nutrients, sediments, and chemicals to waterways in a diffuse way. Because there isn’t one discharge point to pinpoint, this type of pollution is linked to wide-scale land use and rainfall events rather than a single source.

In contrast, point source pollution comes from a single, identifiable outlet like a pipe or sewer. Ambient pollution isn’t a standard technical term for this distinction, and while diffuse pollution is sometimes used informally, the established term for multiple scattered sources is nonpoint source pollution.