What is an example of a point source of pollution?

A point source of pollution is defined as a single, identifiable source of pollution that discharges pollutants into the environment, typically through a specific outlet, such as a pipe or a drain. Industrial discharge serves as a clear example of this type of pollution because it often involves factories or plants releasing waste materials directly into a body of water or the air through a specific point. This form of pollution can be easily measured and managed because its origins are clear and concentrated in one location.

Other forms of pollution mentioned do not qualify as point sources because they are dispersed over broader areas. For instance, runoff from agricultural fields involves various pollutants being washed into nearby waterways from a larger surface area and does not come from a single identifiable source. Similarly, urban runoff results from precipitation moving across urban landscapes, collecting pollutants from numerous sources, making it diffuse rather than point-source pollution. Atmospheric deposition refers to pollutants that settle from the atmosphere onto land or water surfaces, often as a result of widespread contamination from various sources, rather than a specific point.