CES Soil Contamination & Remediation

Question 1

What is a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)?

Accepted Answer

A record review and site inspection to identify potential environmental contamination liabilities without soil or water sampling

Answer

A comprehensive soil and groundwater sampling program

Answer

A regulatory audit conducted by the EPA

Answer

A construction inspection during building demolition

Question 2

What is bioremediation?

Accepted Answer

Using microorganisms to break down or transform environmental contaminants into less harmful substances

Answer

Removing contaminated soil and transporting it to a landfill

Answer

Using concrete to cap contaminated areas

Answer

Pumping contaminated groundwater to a treatment plant

Question 3

What does the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) establish?

Accepted Answer

The Superfund program for cleaning up uncontrolled hazardous waste sites and assigning liability

Answer

Standards for municipal solid waste landfills

Answer

Air quality standards for industrial facilities

Answer

Worker safety requirements in chemical plants

Question 4

What is 'monitored natural attenuation' as a remediation strategy?

Accepted Answer

Allowing natural processes to reduce contaminant concentrations while monitoring progress over time

Answer

Actively pumping chemicals into contaminated soil

Answer

Excavating all contaminated soil and replacing it

Answer

Building a physical barrier around the contaminated site

Question 5

What is a Brownfield site?

Accepted Answer

A property where reuse or redevelopment may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of contamination

Answer

A site designated as a national park

Answer

Agricultural land converted to residential use

Answer

A construction site with brown-colored soil

Question 6

What is the purpose of a risk assessment in contaminated site management?

Accepted Answer

To evaluate whether contaminant levels pose unacceptable risks to human health or the environment and determine cleanup goals

Answer

To estimate the market value of contaminated property

Answer

To assign blame for the contamination

Answer

To calculate insurance premiums for property owners