dispersed-source pollutant

Dispersed-source pollutants enter water bodies from broad areas, unlike point sources which come from a single pipe or channel. Agricultural runoff, carrying fertilizers, pesticides, and sediment, is a common dispersed source. Urban stormwater drainage, which can include automotive residues and de-icing chemicals, is also considered a dispersed source.12

These pollutants can harm aquatic ecosystems by introducing excess nutrients, leading to eutrophication where plant life thrives at the expense of animal life due to oxygen depletion. Toxic chemicals and sediment can directly harm or kill aquatic organisms and degrade habitats. Controlling dispersed sources is challenging because the pollutants enter water bodies from numerous locations, making it harder to treat than pollution from a single point.231