Which property would make a pesticide more likely to move with water in surface runoff?

Which property would make a pesticide more likely to move with water in surface runoff?

• A. High volatility
• B. High solubility
• C. Low solubility
• D. High vapor pressure

Answer: (B)

Mobility in surface runoff mainly comes from how well a pesticide dissolves in water. If it has high solubility, it stays dissolved as water flows, so it’s carried along with the runoff into nearby surfaces and waterways. In contrast, a pesticide with low solubility tends to cling to soil or become bound to sediments, making it less likely to move with the water. Properties that push the pesticide into the air, like high volatility or high vapor pressure, cause it to evaporate and travel with the atmosphere rather than with surface water, further reducing transport by runoff. So, the trait that makes a pesticide more likely to move with water in surface runoff is high solubility.