What constitutes abiotic breakdown of pesticides?

The abiotic breakdown of pesticides refers to the processes that lead to the degradation of these chemicals without the involvement of living organisms. This form of breakdown typically involves chemical reactions that can occur due to various environmental factors such as light, moisture, and temperature.

When pesticides undergo abiotic degradation, they may be transformed into less harmful substances through processes like hydrolysis, oxidation, or photolysis. This is significant for environmental health, as understanding abiotic breakdown helps in assessing the persistence and potential impacts of pesticides in ecosystems.

In contrast, the other options describe different mechanisms or factors related to pesticides but do not pertain to abiotic breakdown specifically. Breakdown by microorganisms focuses on biotic processes, application methods refer to how pesticides are used, and destruction caused by high temperatures, while related to degradation, does not encompass the full range of chemical processes that define abiotic breakdown.