ASBOG ASBOG - Association of State Boards of Geology Environmental Site Assessment and Remediation Questions and Answers

Question 1

A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) per ASTM E1527-21 is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A non-intrusive records review and site inspection to identify Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs)

Answer

A subsurface investigation involving soil and groundwater sampling

Answer

A full quantitative risk assessment for human health

Answer

A remediation feasibility study

Question 2

What does 'REC' stand for in ASTM Phase I Environmental Site Assessment terminology?

Accepted Answer

Recognized Environmental Condition

Answer

Regulatory Environmental Condition

Answer

Required Environmental Compliance

Answer

Remediated Environmental Contamination

Question 3

Under CERCLA (Superfund), which parties can be held liable for hazardous substance cleanup costs?

Accepted Answer

All Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs), including past owners, operators, generators, and transporters

Answer

Only the party who originally deposited the waste

Answer

Only the current property owner

Answer

Only the US EPA and state environmental agencies

Question 4

The primary purpose of a soil vapor survey in environmental site characterization is to:

Accepted Answer

Detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) migrating from contaminated subsurface zones

Answer

Measure in-situ soil permeability

Answer

Determine soil bearing capacity for foundation design

Answer

Measure soil pH profiles at depth

Question 5

The 'pump-and-treat' groundwater remediation method involves:

Accepted Answer

Extracting contaminated groundwater, treating it at the surface, and discharging or reinjecting the treated water

Answer

Injecting clean water to flush contaminants toward extraction wells

Answer

Pumping grout or slurry to create subsurface barriers

Answer

Pumping nutrients to stimulate in-situ biodegradation

Question 6

A DNAPL differs from an LNAPL primarily because it:

Accepted Answer

Is denser than water and sinks through the aquifer to accumulate on low-permeability layers

Answer

Dissolves readily in groundwater

Answer

Floats on the water table surface

Answer

Evaporates rapidly from shallow soils