During rainfall, DePesto may reach surface water and lakes through which pathway?

During rainfall, DePesto may reach surface water and lakes through which pathway?

• A. Absorption
• B. Leaching
• C. Runoff
• D. Back-siphoning

Answer: (C)

Runoff is the pathway because, when rain falls, water moves across the land surface and can pick up pesticide residues on the soil and plant surfaces or attached to sediment. This moving water then carries those contaminants into surface water bodies like streams and lakes. Absorption would mean the pesticide soaks into the soil or plant tissue, not into surface water during the rain. Leaching moves contaminants downward toward groundwater, which is not the same as reaching surface water in this scenario. Back-siphoning isn’t related to how pesticides travel during rainfall. So the water flowing over the ground to surface water best explains how pesticides reach lakes during rainfall.

Runoff is the pathway because, when rain falls, water moves across the land surface and can pick up pesticide residues on the soil and plant surfaces or attached to sediment. This moving water then carries those contaminants into surface water bodies like streams and lakes. Absorption would mean the pesticide soaks into the soil or plant tissue, not into surface water during the rain. Leaching moves contaminants downward toward groundwater, which is not the same as reaching surface water in this scenario. Back-siphoning isn’t related to how pesticides travel during rainfall. So the water flowing over the ground to surface water best explains how pesticides reach lakes during rainfall.