Which term describes the process where pesticides become tightly attached to soil particles?

The term that describes the process where pesticides become tightly attached to soil particles is adsorption. This process is crucial in understanding the behavior of pesticides in the environment, as it affects their mobility, availability for uptake by plants, and potential for leaching into groundwater.

When pesticides adsorb to soil particles, they bind to the surface of these particles and are held there rather than remaining in the soil solution. This reduces the likelihood of the pesticide moving into surface water or groundwater, which is essential for environmental protection and reducing contamination risks.

In contrast, degradation refers to the breakdown of pesticides into simpler, less harmful substances, while permeation deals with the movement of substances through a material, and solvation refers to the process of solutes dissolving in solvents. Understanding these distinctions helps in managing pesticide application and minimizing their environmental impact.