A)
The lakes and streams in an agricultural community can be affected by point-source and nonpoint-source pollution. Part A
A large feedlot has hundreds of cattle. Is this a point source or nonpoint source of nutrient pollution? Explain your answer
(2 points)
B
B) Part B
Some dog-owners throughout the community do not pick up waste produced by their dogs. Is this a point source or nonpoint source of nutrient pollution? Explain your answer.
(2 points)
A) The large feedlot with hundreds of cattle is considered a point source of nutrient pollution. This is because the pollution can be traced back to a specific location, the feedlot, and a specific source, the cattle. The nutrients (such as nitrogen and phosphorus) from the cattle waste can directly enter the nearby water bodies through runoff or leaching, causing pollution in a concentrated area.
B) The waste produced by dogs that is not picked up by their owners is considered a nonpoint source of nutrient pollution. This is because the pollution does not originate from a single identifiable source, but rather from scattered sources throughout the community. The nutrients from the dog waste can be carried by rainwater and runoff into nearby water bodies, contributing to pollution in a more diffuse manner.