GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution refers to diffuse contamination (or pollution) of water or air that does not originate from a single discrete source. This type of pollution is often the cumulative effect of small amounts of contaminants gathered from a large area.

Detailed explanation-2: -The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines point source pollution as “any single identifiable source of pollution from which pollutants are discharged, such as a pipe, ditch, ship or factory smokestack.” Factories and sewage treatment plants are two common types of point sources.

Detailed explanation-3: -Nonpoint source pollution is difficult to control because it comes from many different sources and locations. Most nonpoint source pollution occurs as a result of runoff. When rain or melted snow moves over and through the ground, the water absorbs and assimilates any pollutants it comes into contact with.

Detailed explanation-4: -Surface water pollution is often caused by nutrients, pathogens, plastics and chemicals such as antibiotics, heavy metals and pesticides. These pollutants have different environmental effects. Excess nutrients, for instance, may result in harmful algal blooms and hypoxia both in rivers and in coastal seas.

Detailed explanation-5: -Sources of Surface Water Pollution In addition to human waste, there are issues with fertilizer seepage from farmland into groundwater. Industrial plants are also known to contaminate surface water with byproducts leaking into rivers and drainage systems.