Which statement accurately describes the movement of pesticides from the application site?

The statement that runoff and erosion are sources of surface water contamination by pesticides accurately captures the potential environmental impact following pesticide application. When pesticides are applied to agricultural or landscaped areas, they can be washed away by rain or irrigation, leading to runoff that carries them into nearby water bodies. Erosion can also remove topsoil that holds pesticide residues, further contributing to contamination of surface waters. This highlights the importance of managing pesticide application and understanding how various environmental factors can mobilize these chemicals.

While the other options do highlight some aspects of pesticide behavior, they do not accurately reflect the broader and more significant issue of environmental contamination through runoff and erosion. For instance, suggesting that pesticides only affect the soil surface ignores the reality of their movement through water systems. The notion that pesticides remain in application areas unaffected overlooks the fact that various environmental conditions can lead to their displacement. Lastly, the idea that pesticides evaporate and immediately disperse into the air simplifies the complexity of pesticide dynamics, as not all pesticides evaporate quickly, and many persist in the environment for varying durations.