Soaps and detergents are sources of organic pollutants such as

Concept

Organic pollutants are carbon-based substances that enter water through domestic or industrial discharges. Detergent mixtures can also contain inorganic builders, so each constituent must be classified by its chemical nature.

Application

Glycerol is an organic alcohol, and sulfonated hydrocarbons are organic surfactants with a hydrocarbon framework. Polyphosphates are inorganic phosphorus-containing compounds. Thus, two of the individually named substances belong to the organic category.

Contrast

• Glycerol is organic, but selecting it alone overlooks another listed organic substance.

• Polyphosphates can contribute to eutrophication, but they are inorganic rather than organic pollutants.

• Sulfonated hydrocarbons are organic, but selecting them alone overlooks another listed organic substance.

• “None of the above” would require all three named substances to be outside the organic category.

Result

Because both glycerol and sulfonated hydrocarbons are organic, more than one of the listed substances fits the description.