Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
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.
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.