Offshore oil wells are an example of _____a.Point sources of water pollutionb.Nonpoint sources of water pollutionc.Riversd.Industrial effluents

Understanding the Options

To determine the correct answer, let's analyze the options provided:

1. Point sources of water pollution: These are identifiable and discrete sources of pollutants, like a pipe discharging waste into a body of water.

2. Nonpoint sources of water pollution: These come from diffuse sources that are not easily identifiable, such as runoff from agricultural land.

3. Rivers: While rivers can be affected by pollution, they themselves are not classified as sources of pollution.

4. Industrial effluents: This refers to the outflow of waste products from industrial processes, which can also be considered a point source if the discharge is from a specific location.

Analyzing Offshore Oil Wells

Offshore oil wells specifically discharge pollutants, such as oil, into the marine environment from identifiable and discrete locations. Therefore, they can be classified as:

• Point sources of water pollution due to their specific discharge points.

Final Answer

The correct answer is a. Point sources of water pollution.