Absolutely. Soil can carry pesticides and fertilizer piggyback style.
Pesticides are chemicals that farmers and homeowners use to kill pesky weeds and insects. Fertilizers are put on fields and lawns as food for plants.
Unfortunately, pesticide and fertilizer particles can attach to soil particles and move with them into lakes and rivers. Also, some pesticides and fertilizers dissolve in (mix in) runoff water. They travel with runoff water into lakes and rivers.
The result? Instead of winding up where they can do some good, pesticides and fertilizers pollute the water.
A farmer puts down anhydrous ammonia--a type of fertilizer, or food for crops.
Photo: USDA NRCS