TABLE 3-19. 



SOURCES AND EFFECTS OF NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTANTS 



Pol lutant/ 



Cause of Impairment 



Activity/Source 



Potential Receptors 



Effects 



Sediments 



agricultural practices rivers, reservoirs, 



forest practices lakes 



mining 



construction 



hydromodi f i cat i on 



urban runoff 



• Adversely affect 

 spawning and rearing 

 capacity for trout when 

 deposited on stream bottoms. 



• Interfere with water 

 treatment and irrigation. 



• Can carry nutrients, 

 toxins, and pathogens. 



Nutrients/Ferti I izer 



agricultural practices 



forest practices 



land disposal 



urban runoff 



mining 



construction 



hydromodi f icat ion 



rivers, reservoirs, 

 lakes, ground water 



• Can cause excessive 

 nuisance algae and 

 macrophyte growth. 



• Excess nitrate in drinking 

 water can be harmful to 

 infants. 



Toxins (primarily metals) 



mining 



Pesticides 



rivers, reservoirs 

 lakes, ground water 



agricultural practices rivers, reservoirs, 

 forest practices lakes, ground water 



• Exert stress on aquatic 

 ecosystems (can cause 

 chronic or acute toxicity). 



• Can cause acute and chronic 

 toxicity to fish and other 

 aquatic organisms. 



• Some accumulate in fish 

 tissues; affect food chain. 



Pathogens 



agricultural practices 



land disposal 



marinas and boats 



rivers, reservoirs, 

 lakes, ground water 



• Can be a potential source 

 of disease. 



Sal ini ty 



agricultural practices rivers, reservoirs 

 mining lakes, ground water 



• Excess salts impair water 

 for drinking, irrigation, 

 stock watering, and other 

 uses. 



Acidi ty 



mining 



rivers, reservoirs, 

 lakes, ground water 



• Can cause saline seeps. 



Modifies availability 



of nutrients, metals, and 



various pollutants. 



• Can cause toxicity. 



3-92a 



