The major means of breakdown is microbial decomposition. These herbicides have moderate to high acidity and very low to low volatility. Herbicide retention ranges from very low to low, and water solubility from very low to high. Both water solubility and soil retention are pH dependent. Retention is directly related to organic matter, and mobility is inversely related to it.
Persistence ranges from short to long and is greatly influenced by environmental conditions.
Both chemical and microbial decomposition are important in degradation. However, these herbicides appear to be more persistent under basic than acidic conditions. These compounds have high to very high acidity, moderate to high water solubility, and very low volatility. Both water solubility and soil retention depend on soil pH, with maximum soil adsorption occurring under acid conditions. Soil retention is very low to low.