Pesticides In The Environment HARD EPA Ground Water Protection Strategy & 40 CFR § 171.103(c)

Which combination of pesticide chemical properties and soil characteristics represents the HIGHEST risk of groundwater aquifer contamination via leaching?

Multiple Choice Options

A High water solubility, low soil adsorption (low Koc), high environmental persistence (long half-life), applied to coarse sandy soil with low organic matter. ✓ OFFICIAL VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWER
B Low water solubility, high soil adsorption (high Koc), rapid photolysis, applied to heavy clay soil high in organic matter.
C High volatility, low persistence, applied to fine silt loam soil with a deep water table over 200 feet.
D High molecular weight, strong cationic bond to soil colloids, applied to organic muck soil.
✓ LEGAL EXPLANATION & STATUTORY RATIONALE
EPA Ground Water Protection Strategy & 40 CFR § 171.103(c)
Official Manual Chapter: Chapter 7: Pesticides in the Environment

Pesticides with high water solubility and low Koc (soil organic carbon-water partition coefficient) do not bind readily to soil particles. When combined with long persistence (environmental half-life) and coarse sandy soils lacking organic matter, rainfall and irrigation rapidly transport the chemical down into shallow groundwater.

Official EPA Core Study Domain Pesticides In The Environment
Practice All Domain Questions →

Related Questions in Pesticides In The Environment