Which of these is an example of point-source pollution?
A. Noise pollution comes from a jet engine.
B. Fertilizer and pesticides flow into rivers from farms.
C. Exhaust is emitted from vehicles in a city.
D. Light pollution comes from cities across America.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is A. Noise pollution comes from a jet engine.
Explanation:
Point-source pollution refers to pollution that originates from a single, identifiable source. It is typically easier to trace and control because the pollution comes from one specific location. In contrast, non-point source pollution is dispersed over a wide area and often comes from multiple smaller sources that are harder to pinpoint.
Let’s examine each option to understand why A is correct:
- A. Noise pollution comes from a jet engine.
- This is an example of point-source pollution because the noise is generated by a specific and identifiable source—the jet engine. The noise emanates from one location (the jet) and can be traced back directly to that source. This is a characteristic of point-source pollution, which is typically easy to locate and address.
- B. Fertilizer and pesticides flow into rivers from farms.
- This is an example of non-point source pollution, not point-source pollution. Fertilizers and pesticides are applied over large areas of farmland and are carried by rainwater or runoff into rivers. The pollution comes from many scattered sources (farms), making it difficult to trace back to a single point. Thus, it does not qualify as point-source pollution.
- C. Exhaust is emitted from vehicles in a city.
- Like option B, this is also non-point source pollution. Although the exhaust emissions come from identifiable vehicles, the pollution is widespread, coming from many vehicles across a large area (the city). This makes it challenging to attribute the pollution to one specific location or source.
- D. Light pollution comes from cities across America.
- This is another example of non-point source pollution. Light pollution arises from the collective glow of lights across vast urban areas and is caused by multiple sources such as streetlights, buildings, and other artificial lighting. It is not from a single, identifiable point but rather diffused across regions.
Thus, the correct answer is A because the jet engine represents a single, identifiable source of noise pollution, making it point-source pollution.