What is a characteristic of a pesticide that is likely to leach?

A characteristic of a pesticide that is likely to leach is related to its persistence in soil. When a pesticide is persistent, it means that it remains in the environment for an extended period without breaking down. Such persistence can lead to the pesticide being moved from the soil into groundwater, particularly through pathways that facilitate leaching, such as heavy rainfall or irrigation practices.

Pesticides that are not easily degraded can accumulate in the soil layer and, when water moves through the soil profile, they may be carried along and leach into deeper soil layers or into groundwater. This is particularly true if the pesticide also has low adsorption to soil particles, which means it does not bind well and can easily be moved by water.

In contrast, characteristics like high adsorption to soil, low solubility in water, and rapid degradation would typically result in reduced leaching potential. High adsorption means the pesticide is retained in the soil, while low solubility indicates that it does not dissolve easily in water and is less likely to be transported through leaching. Rapid degradation implies that the pesticide breaks down quickly and is less likely to persist in the soil to the point of leaching.