Final answer:
The most common pollutants that cause problems in surface waters are soil sediments, PCBs, and fertilizers. Soil sediments are particles of soil that erode and wash into water bodies, carrying pollutants with them. PCBs are toxic chemicals that can enter water bodies through runoff and bioaccumulate in organisms. Fertilizers contribute to water pollution by causing eutrophication and algal blooms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most common pollutants that are deposited into our surface waters and cause problems are soil sediments, PCBs, and fertilizers.
Soil sediments refer to the particles of soil that are eroded and washed away by water, ending up in rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water. These sediments can carry nutrients and other pollutants with them, leading to water pollution.
PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that were used in industrial and electrical equipment until they were banned in 1979. PCBs can enter water bodies through sources like runoff from contaminated sites and can bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms, causing harm to the ecosystem.
Fertilizers, especially those used in agriculture and gardening, contain nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. When excess fertilizer is washed away by rain or irrigation water, it can contribute to the eutrophication of water bodies, leading to algal blooms and oxygen depletion.