Which factors affect the degradation of pesticides in the environment?

The degradation of pesticides in the environment is significantly influenced by microbial activity, temperature, and moisture levels, making this choice the most accurate.

Microbial activity plays a crucial role in the breakdown of pesticides; microorganisms in the soil can metabolize these chemicals, leading to their degradation. Warmer temperatures often enhance microbial activity, which can increase the rate at which pesticides break down. Additionally, moisture levels are essential because many microorganisms require water to thrive and function effectively, affecting the speed of degradation processes.

While other factors such as sunlight and various environmental conditions are relevant to the breakdown of pesticides, the combination of microbial activity, temperature, and moisture levels is particularly critical because they work together to create optimal conditions for degradation to occur.