Nonpoint Source Encyclopedia Article

Nonpoint Source

The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.

(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.

The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.

The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.

All other sections in this Literature Study Guide are owned and copyrighted by BookRags, Inc.

Nonpoint Source

A diffuse, scattered source of pollution. Nonpoint sources have no fixed location where they discharge pollutants into the air or water as do chimneys, outfall pipes, or other point sources. Nonpoint sources include runoff from agricultural fields, feedlots, lawns, golf courses, construction sites, streets, and parking lots, as well as emissions from quarrying operations, forest fires, and the evaporation of volatile substances from small businesses such as dry cleaners. Unlike pollutants discharged by point sources, nonpoint pollution is difficult to monitor, regulate, and control. Also, it frequently occurs episodically rather than predictably. Where treatment plants have been installed to control discharge from point sources, nonpoint sources can be responsible for most of the pollution found in bodies of water. As much as 90% of the pollution load in a body of water may come from nonpoint sources.

Nonpoint sources of water pollution. (Illustration by Hans & Cassidy.) Nonpoint sources of water pollution. (Illustration by Hans & Cassidy.)

See Also

Water Pollution