Which of the following represents a clear example of point source pollution?

Point source pollution is characterized by pollutants released from a specific, identifiable source, often through a discharge pipe or similar outlet. The oil spill from a tanker fits this definition perfectly, as it originates from a single, defined source—the tanker itself—at a particular location and time. This allows for easier regulation and management of the pollution, as opposed to non-point source pollution, which is diffused and collected from multiple sources or areas, making it more challenging to control.

Stormwater runoff, noise pollution from boats, and agricultural fertilizers are examples of non-point source pollution. Stormwater runoff involves water collecting pollutants from various surfaces as it moves towards bodies of water, which makes tracking and addressing the pollution much more complicated. Similarly, noise pollution from boats doesn't originate from one specific source but rather comes from the cumulative effects of multiple boats in an area. Agricultural fertilizers generally wash into waterways from multiple fields and sources, rather than being released from a singular identifiable point. In contrast, the oil spill is a distinct and precise incident representative of point source pollution.