What kind of pollutants can stormwater runoff introduce to water bodies?

Stormwater runoff is a significant contributor to water quality degradation, and it can introduce various pollutants into water bodies. The correct answer highlights heavy metals and nutrients as key pollutants associated with stormwater runoff.

Heavy metals, such as lead, copper, and zinc, can originate from urban areas through vehicles, industrial processes, and atmospheric deposition. These metals can accumulate in aquatic environments, leading to toxic effects on aquatic life and potentially entering the food chain.

Nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, often enter waterways from fertilizers, pet waste, and organic matter washed off pavement and lawns during rain events. An excess of these nutrients can cause problems like algal blooms, which can deplete oxygen levels in the water and harm fish and other aquatic organisms.

In contrast, the other options suggest a limited or nonexistent impact of stormwater runoff. Organic materials alone do not capture the full spectrum of pollutants involved. Saying there are no pollutants at all ignores the reality of urban runoff, which is known to carry a diverse mix of contaminants. Lastly, just mentioning sediments does not encompass the broader range of harmful substances typically found in stormwater, thus underrepresenting the issue. The significance of stormwater runoff comes from its ability to carry a variety of pollutants, particularly heavy metals