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 Phase I ESA involves reviewing historical records, conducting site inspections, and interviewing knowledgeable parties to identify recognized environmental conditions (RECs) without invasive testing.

Question 2

What is bioremediation?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

Bioremediation harnesses naturally occurring or enhanced microbial processes to degrade organic contaminants (petroleum, solvents) into harmless byproducts like carbon dioxide and water.

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

CERCLA (1980), commonly known as Superfund, established a federal program to clean up abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste sites and created a liability framework for responsible parties to pay cleanup costs.

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

Monitored natural attenuation relies on natural physical, chemical, and biological processes (dilution, sorption, biodegradation) to reduce contaminant levels, with regular monitoring to verify effectiveness.

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

EPA defines brownfields as real property where expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants.

(CES) Certified Environmental Scientist Practice Test

(CES) Certified Environmental Scientist Practice Test

CES Soil Contamination & Remediation