| Pollution may be defined as the contamination of the | | | | Even individual households contribute to nonpoint |
| natural environment by addition of harmful | | | | source pollution through improper usage of chemicals |
| substances. Basically, the source of pollution is | | | | and pesticides and other household practices. Waste |
| differentiated into two types – point source | | | | water from houses may contain toxic substances, |
| pollution and nonpoint source pollution. When | | | | such as oil, grease, metals, pesticides, and PCBs |
| pollutants are discharged from a single source, then it | | | | which are the major sources of nonpoint pollution. |
| is called as point source pollution. It could be from | | | | Motor oil spills from parking lots or runways, oil spilled |
| sewage discharge plants or industrial waste from | | | | from storage tanks or motor boats, and off-shore |
| companies. Large scale oil spills from oil tanks or ships | | | | drilling operations are the leading sources of water |
| are best examples of point source pollution. | | | | pollution along shore lines and other areas. |
| Unlike point source pollution, the sources of nonpoint | | | | The ecological impact of oil spills on marine as well as |
| source pollution are very diverse. Rain water or | | | | land animals can be terrible, which results in reduced |
| flowing water picks up many contaminants including | | | | flora and fauna. Oil spill cleanup, if done immediately |
| motor oil, grease, sand, wastes, and other toxic | | | | helps prevent the spilled oil from being washed away |
| materials. These pollutants are finally deposited into | | | | by running water. You can use eco-friendly products |
| waterways such as coastal waters, rivers, lakes, and | | | | offered by Oil Gone Easy for oil spill cleanup. These |
| underground water, thus polluting them. According to | | | | biodegradable products break down toxic substances |
| the Environmental Protection Agency of the United | | | | into simple substances that do not cause water |
| States, nonpoint source pollution is the number one | | | | pollution. |
| cause of water quality problem in the country. | | | | |