Runoff is water that collects on Earth's surface after rainfall and eventually flows into larger bodies of water. Which of the following properties of water accounts for the conclusion that runoff often contains fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals that farmers have applied to their fields?
A. Water has a high specific heat.
B. Water is an excellent and versatile solvent.
C. Water has strong cohesion.
D. Water has a high surface tension.
Answer (2)
Runoff contains fertilizers and pesticides due to the property of water being an excellent solvent, which allows it to dissolve various substances. This ability enables runoff to transport chemicals into larger water bodies. Other properties of water, such as specific heat and cohesion, do not contribute to this phenomenon. ;
The property of water that allows runoff to contain fertilizers and pesticides is that it is an excellent and versatile solvent (Option B). This property enables water to dissolve various substances and carry them into larger bodies of water. Understanding this helps illustrate the potential environmental impact of agricultural runoff on ecosystems.
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