A point source of pollution is a single identifiable localized source of air, water, thermal, noise or light pollution. A point source has negligible extent, distinguishing it from other pollution source geometries. The sources are called point sources because in mathematical modeling, they can be approximated as a mathematical point to simplify analysis. Pollution point sources are identical to other physics, engineering, optics and chemistry point sources except that their emissions have been labeled
- Water pollution from an oil refinery wastewater discharge outlet
- Noise pollution from a jet engine
- Disruptive seismic vibration from a localized seismic study
- Light pollution from an intrusive street light
- Thermal pollution from an industrial process outfall
- Radio emissions from an interference-producing electrical device
Types of air pollution sources which have finite extent are line sources, area sources and volume sources. Air pollution sources are also often categorized as either stationary or mobile.
United States agricultural regulation
Both the Clean Water Act (P.L. 92-500; 33, U.S.C. 1251-1387) and the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) focus control requirements on point sources and both require permits for major sources of discharges from point sources. While much agricultural pollution is nonpoint source, some agricultural activities are affected: for example, feedlots of over 1000 animal units (CAFOs) are considered point sources requiring permits under the Clean Water Act. However, irrigation return flows, although considered point sources, are expressly exempted from the permit requirement.[1]
See also
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- ADMS 3
- AERMOD
- Air pollution dispersion terminology
- CALPUFF
- List of atmospheric dispersion models
- DISPERSION21
- Major stationary source
- MERCURE
- NAME
- Nonpoint source pollution
- PUFF-PLUME
- OIL
References
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