MDARD Michigan Core Pesticide Applicator Practice Exam

What is an example of nonpoint-source pollution?

1. Pesticides from a factory discharge

2. Runoff from agricultural fields

3. Waste from sewage treatment plants

4. Oil spills in oceans

The correct answer is: Runoff from agricultural fields

Nonpoint-source pollution refers to contaminants that come from multiple sources rather than a single, identifiable source. Runoff from agricultural fields is a prime example of this type of pollution because it occurs when rainwater or irrigation water flows over the land and collects various pollutants, including fertilizers, pesticides, and sediment, as it travels. This water does not come from a single location but rather from the cumulative effect of many fields and farms in a given area, making it difficult to trace back to a specific point of origin. In contrast, other options like pesticides from a factory discharge, waste from sewage treatment plants, and oil spills in oceans are all examples of point-source pollution. Each of these originates from a distinct location or facility, which can be identified and monitored. Therefore, these types of pollution differ fundamentally in their origins, with nonpoint-source pollution being more diffuse and challenging to manage because it stems from a variety of sources and activities spread over a larger area.