Final answer:
Runoff plays a significant role in water pollution as it carries pollutants into bodies of water, causing contamination and dead zones. Measures like reducing fertilizer use and preserving wetlands can help prevent runoff pollution.
Step-by-step explanation:
Runoff plays a significant role in water pollution. When it rains or when there is surface runoff, water picks up various pollutants like fertilizers, pesticides, and industrial waste. These pollutants are then carried into bodies of water, causing contamination. Excessive nutrients from runoff, such as fertilizers, can lead to algal blooms that deplete oxygen levels in water, resulting in dead zones where aquatic organisms cannot survive. Measures like reducing fertilizer use and preserving wetlands can help prevent runoff pollution.