Question

15 which is an example of a nonpoint source of freshwater pollution?
factory waste piped into a stream
sewage treatment plant
leaking toxic waste landfill
pesticide runoff from farm fields

Explanation:

To determine a nonpoint source of freshwater pollution, we first recall the definitions: Point sources have a single, identifiable origin (like factories, sewage plants, landfills with leaks), while nonpoint sources are diffuse and come from multiple, unidentifiable origins (e.g., runoff from large areas like farm fields).

• "Factory waste piped into a stream" is a point source (single pipe).
• "Sewage treatment plant" is a point source (single facility).
• "Leaking toxic waste landfill" is a point source (single landfill).
• "Pesticide runoff from farm fields" is nonpoint because pesticides from many farm fields (diffuse area) run off into water, with no single identifiable pipe or facility.

Answer:

D. pesticide runoff from farm fields