A pesticide is more likely to contaminate groundwater if it has which of the following characteristics?
A)highly volatile (high vapor pressure)
B)highly soluble in water
C)strongly adsorbed to soil colloids
D)rapidly degraded by soil microorganisms
E)all of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Pesticides that are highly soluble in water are more likely to contaminate groundwater because they can easily dissolve and move through the soil into the water table. Highly volatile pesticides (A) may evaporate before they reach groundwater, while pesticides strongly adsorbed to soil colloids (C) may be trapped in the soil and not reach groundwater. Pesticides that are rapidly degraded by soil microorganisms (D) may not persist long enough to contaminate groundwater. Therefore, the best choice is option B, highly soluble in water.

A Pesticide Is More Likely to Contaminate Groundwater If It