Question

Polluted runoff comes from many sources and now makes up about three quarters of the pollution in our coastal waters. some sources of polluted roof include farmlands city streets and parking lots. in the end polluted runoff harms fish wildlife and water quality

in this context the word polluted means
a. harmful
b. local
c. treated.
d. pure

Answer 1

The word 'polluted' in the context of environmental science means 'harmful.' Polluted runoff carries contaminants like fertilizers and pesticides from sources such as agricultural fields and urban areas into bodies of water, causing issues like eutrophication and impacting human and wildlife health.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the context of this question, the word polluted means harmful. Polluted runoff is water that carries contaminants from various sources like farmlands, city streets, and parking lots into nearby water bodies. These pollutants can come from point sources such as sewage treatment plants or nonpoint sources like agricultural runoff that carries fertilizers and pesticides. Such pollution can lead to eutrophication, where excess nutrients cause algal blooms, reducing oxygen levels in the water and creating dead zones. It can also carry harmful substances that affect both human and wildlife health, as well as water quality.

Nonpoint source pollution is often more difficult and extensive to manage than point source pollution because it encompasses widespread pollutants over large areas and is typically not confined to a single discharge location. Major effects of polluted runoff include the disruption of aquatic ecosystems, the creation of unhealthy water conditions, and the danger posed to wildlife and human health.