Texas Pesticide Applicator Practice Exam

True or False: Only pesticides applied incorrectly can move downwards into the water table.

1. True

2. False

3. Only some pesticides

4. Depends on the method of application

The correct answer is: False

The statement is false because it implies that only incorrectly applied pesticides can leach into the water table. However, various factors contribute to the movement of pesticides into the groundwater, regardless of whether they are applied correctly or not. Pesticides can be designed to be mobile, and their movement can be influenced by soil characteristics, such as texture and permeability, the chemical properties of the pesticide itself, including solubility and adsorption, and environmental conditions like rainfall and irrigation practices. Even under proper application methods, certain pesticides may still move downwards through the soil profile into the water table if the conditions facilitate that process. Additionally, incorrect application may increase the likelihood of contamination, but it is not the sole cause. Thus, the right answer highlights the fact that it is not only misapplication that can lead to groundwater contamination; the inherent properties of the pesticide and the environmental context are critical factors as well.