Question

Differentiate between point sources and non- point sources of water pollution

Answer 1

Point source

1. Point source pollution refers to the pollution which occurs due to a single identifiable source.
2. This type of pollution remains localized to the point of pollution.
3. Hence, it is easy to identify the source and take action to prevent pollution.
4. Point source pollution is concentrated near the place of origin. It can be small scale to large scale.
5. Examples of point source pollution are, chimneys of factories, oil spills, and pipes leaking chemicals to rivers.

Non-point source

1. While non-point source pollution refers to pollution where the source of the pollution cannot be traced back to a single source.
2. This type of pollution is widely diffused and diluted.
3. The pollution is not concentrated in a particular location or area.
4. Hence, it is difficult to identify the origin and take actions to minimize or prevent it.
5. Examples of the non-point source are - land runoff, rain, drainage, seepage, atmospheric deposition, hydrologic modification.