Sources of pollution | Point source pollution | Non-point sources of pollution | Point source pollution examples | Non-point source pollution examples

There are two sources of pollution based on emissions or discharge of pollutants i.e. point source pollution and non-point source pollution.

 

 a) Point Source Pollution:

The sources that are located at specific places and discharge pollutants at specific locations through sewer pipes, smokestacks, exhaust pipes, drainpipes into air, water bodies, or soil are called point sources.

Examples: Drain pipes of a factory, exhaust pipe of an automobile, and the smokestack of industrial plant.

b) Non-Point Source Pollution:

The discharge of pollutants into the air, water, or soil at non-specific locations is called non-point source pollution.

Examples: Run-off of pesticides and fertilizers from agricultural fields and emissions from open biomass burning.