The soil pollutants that affects the food chain and food web by
killing microorganisms and plants are:

Options

A. Chemical fertilizers
B. Agricultural wastes
C. Pesticides
D. Pathogens

Answer

**Step-by-Step Text Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Question:**
The question asks about soil pollutants that negatively impact the food chain and food web by killing microorganisms and plants.

2. **Analyzing the Options:**
We have four options to consider:
- Chemical fertilizers
- Agricultural wastes
- Pesticides
- Pathogens

3. **Evaluating Each Option:**
- **Chemical Fertilizers:**
- These are used to enhance soil fertility and crop productivity.
- While they can have long-term negative effects on soil health, they do not directly kill microorganisms or plants in a way that disrupts the food chain.
- **Conclusion:** This option is incorrect.

- **Agricultural Wastes:**
- These are typically biodegradable materials, such as crop residues.
- They generally do not harm the food chain or food web.
- **Conclusion:** This option is incorrect.

- **Pesticides:**
- Pesticides are chemicals used to eliminate pests and insects that harm crops.
- They can kill not only harmful pests but also beneficial microorganisms and plants, disrupting the food chain and food web.
- **Conclusion:** This option is correct.

- **Pathogens:**
- Pathogens are organisms that cause diseases in other organisms.
- While they can affect individual organisms, they do not directly disrupt the food chain or food web in the same way as pesticides.
- **Conclusion:** This option is incorrect.

4. **Final Answer:**
Based on the analysis, the correct answer to the question is **pesticides**.

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