A chemical that remains in soil and sediment for years rather than breaking down quickly is described as?

• A. Biodegradable
• B. Persistent
• C. Volatile
• D. Immediate

Answer: (B)

Persistence is the key idea here. A chemical that stays in soil and sediment for years because it resists breakdown is described as persistent. That long environmental lifetime comes from factors like chemical stability and a tendency to bind to soil or sediment organic matter, which slows or prevents microbial degradation and keeps the substance from readily moving away or transforming. Because it remains for a long time, such a chemical can accumulate in the environment and potentially bioaccumulate in organisms. In contrast, a biodegradable substance is one that microbes can break down more quickly; a volatile substance tends to vaporize and enter the air rather than stay put in soil; and “immediate” isn’t a technical term for this property.