Volatilization refers to:

Volatilization specifically refers to the process by which substances, including herbicides, transition from a liquid or solid state into a gas, particularly due to the influence of heat or environmental conditions. This is a crucial concept in understanding how herbicides behave in different conditions and their potential impact on the environment.

When herbicides volatilize, they can enter the atmosphere and potentially be transported away from the target area, which can lead to unintended effects on non-target plants and organisms. Understanding this process is essential for effective herbicide application, as minimizing volatilization can help prevent off-target movement and ensure that the herbicide remains where it is intended to be.

The other choices do not correctly describe volatilization. The process of becoming solid does not relate to volatilization, and the movement of herbicides through soil is more accurately described by leaching or adsorption. Decay in water pertains to degradation rather than the gas transition process.