What are the two categories of sources of pollutants in surface water?

The correct answer, which identifies the two categories of sources of pollutants in surface water as point source and non-point source pollution, is based on the definitions and characteristics of these types of pollution.

Point source pollution refers to contaminants that originate from a single, identifiable source, such as a discharge pipe from a sewage treatment plant or an industrial facility. This type of pollution is easier to monitor and regulate because it has a specific location from which pollutants are released into the body of water.

On the other hand, non-point source pollution comes from diffuse sources that are not easily traced back to a single origin. This includes runoff from agricultural land, urban areas, and other landscapes where pollutants are transported by rainwater or melting snow. The difficulty in controlling and managing this type of pollution arises from its widespread nature, making it a significant challenge for water quality management.

The other choices do not accurately capture the main categories of pollutants in surface water. Natural and artificial pollution encompass a wider range of sources that are not specific to the contextual framework of point and non-point sources. Organic and inorganic pollution categorize pollutants based on their chemical nature, rather than their source. Lastly, while sewage and industrial runoff represent specific examples of pollution, they do not encompass the broader conceptual categories of