What process occurs as water moves over a sloped surface carrying pesticides either in water or bound to eroding soil?

The correct answer is that runoff occurs when water moves over a sloped surface and carries pesticides. This process happens when rainfall or irrigation water flows over the land, and as it does so, it can pick up various materials including pesticides that may be present on the soil surface or bound to soil particles. Runoff can lead to the transportation of these chemicals into nearby water bodies, which can potentially affect water quality and harm aquatic ecosystems.

This phenomenon is particularly significant in agricultural settings where pesticide application is common, and it highlights the importance of erosion control and proper land management practices to minimize the movement of pesticides away from the target areas. Understanding the dynamics of runoff is critical for pesticide application and environmental conservation because it helps in implementing strategies to reduce contamination of water sources.