Certified in Public Health (CPH) Practice Exam

What type of pollution is caused by stormwater runoff from chemically fertilized farm fields?

1. Area source pollution

2. Point source pollution

3. Accidental and unforeseeable pollution

4. Unpreventable and inconsequential pollution

The correct answer is: Area source pollution

Stormwater runoff from chemically fertilized farm fields is classified as area source pollution because it originates from diffuse sources over a broad area rather than a single, identifiable point. This type of pollution occurs when rainwater or melting snow flows over land and surfaces, picking up various pollutants, including fertilizers, pesticides, and sediments, before reaching water bodies. Because the runoff collects contaminants from a large area rather than a specific discharge point, it is challenging to pinpoint the exact location of the pollutant source. This is in contrast to point source pollution, which can be traced back to a single identifiable source, like a pipe discharging waste into a stream. While stormwater management strategies can mitigate this type of pollution to some extent, the inherent nature of area source pollution makes it a significant challenge for water quality management, especially in agricultural regions where large expanses of land use fertilizers.