MDARD Michigan Core Pesticide Applicator Practice Exam

Which of the following is a way pesticides can move in water, especially after heavy rainfall?

1. Evaporation

2. Runoff

3. Denaturation

4. Fermentation

The correct answer is: Runoff

Runoff is the correct answer as it refers to the movement of pesticides across the soil surface and into nearby water bodies, particularly after heavy rainfall. When rain occurs, the water can transport pesticides that are present on the ground or in the soil, leading them to flow into streams, rivers, lakes, or other bodies of water. This process can be influenced by several factors, including the slope of the land, the type of soil, and any vegetation that may be present. In contrasting contexts, evaporation involves the transformation of liquid pesticide into vapor, which does not facilitate movement in water but rather occurs in the air. Denaturation relates to the alteration of the structure of molecules, particularly proteins, and does not apply to the movement of pesticides in water. Fermentation is a biological process that involves the breakdown of substances by microorganisms and is unrelated to pesticide transport in water.