Environment
3 questions an applicator must ask - correct answer 1. WHERE will the pesticide go
after it leaves its container or application equipment?
2. What effects could this pesticide have on those NONTARGET sites it may reach?
3. What can I do to MINIMIZE harmful effects?
The 4 characteristics that determine a pesticide's interaction with the environment - correct answer
1. Solubility
2. Absorption
3. Persistence
4. Volatality
Solubility - correct answer Measure of the ability of a pesticide to dissolve in a
solvent (usually water)
___________ soluble pesticides are more likely to move with water in surface runoff through soil -
correct answer HIGHLY
Absorption - correct answer The process whereby a pesticide binds to soil particles
Persistence - correct answer The ability of a pesticide to remain present and active
in its original form for an extended period before breaking down
, A chemical's persistence is described in terms of its "____________" - correct answer
half-life
Half-life - correct answer A comparative measure of the time needed for the
chemical to break down (degrade)
The shorter/longer the half-life, the more persistent the pesticide - correct answer
LONGER
Residue - correct answer The pesticide that remains in the environment after an
application or spill
3 processes of pesticide degradation - correct answer 1. Chemical degradation
2. Microbial action
2. Photodegneration
Chemical degradation - correct answer The breakdown of chemicals that do NOT
involve living organisms, usually by a chemical reaction with water
Microbial action - correct answer The breakdown of chemicals by soil
microorganisms, such as fungi or bacteria.
Photodegradation - correct answer The breakdown of chemicals in reaction to
sunlight
Volatility - correct answer The tendency of a pesticide to turn into a gas or vapor
The chance of volatilization increases as ___________ and _______ increase - correct answer
temperatures, wind