NCEES FE Environmental Practice Exam 2025 – Your All-In-One Guide to Mastering the Fundamentals of Engineering!

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What is the term for pollutants that can be traced back to a single source?

Non-point source pollutants

Point source pollutants

The term for pollutants that can be traced back to a single source is point source pollutants. Point source pollution refers to contaminants that are discharged from a specific, identifiable location, such as a pipe, ditch, or smokestack. This type of pollution is typically easier to regulate because the source can be pinpointed directly, allowing for targeted management and mitigation strategies.

In contrast, non-point source pollutants come from diffuse sources and are not easily traced back to a single origin, often resulting from land runoff, precipitation, atmospheric deposition, or percolation. Secondary pollutants are those that are not emitted directly but form in the atmosphere through chemical reactions, typically involving primary pollutants. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a category of organic chemicals that can easily evaporate and contribute to air pollution but are not limited to a single-source definition.

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Secondary pollutants

Volatile organic compounds

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