Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Definition
Non-point source pollution refers to the contamination of water, air, or soil that comes from multiple diffuse sources rather than one specific identifiable location.
Point source pollution refers to contamination that can be traced back to a specific and identifiable source, such as an industrial facility or sewage treatment plant.
Urban Runoff: Urban runoff is a type of non-point source pollution caused by rainwater flowing over paved surfaces in cities and picking up pollutants like oil, trash, and chemicals before entering water bodies.
Atmospheric Deposition: Atmospheric deposition occurs when pollutants in the air (such as acid rain) settle onto land or bodies of water, contributing to non-point source pollution.