Final answer:
Surface water runoff can be an environmental problem due to its potential negative impacts on ecosystems. Pollutants picked up by runoff can contaminate nearby water bodies and harm aquatic plants and animals. Managing runoff through various practices can help minimize these environmental impacts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Surface water runoff can be considered an environmental problem due to its potential negative impacts on ecosystems. When rainwater flows over surfaces such as roads, parking lots, and agricultural fields, it picks up pollutants like oil, pesticides, fertilizers, and sediment. These pollutants can contaminate nearby streams, rivers, and lakes, harming aquatic plants and animals.
For example, excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers can lead to eutrophication, where an excessive growth of algae depletes oxygen levels in the water, causing harm to fish and other organisms. Sediment runoff can also smother aquatic habitats and degrade water quality.
Therefore, it is important to manage surface water runoff through practices such as constructing retention ponds, implementing green infrastructure, and adopting sustainable farming practices to minimize environmental impacts.