Remediation & Mitigation Strategies Flashcards
7 cards from real CSC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Remediation & Mitigation Strategies flashcards as text
Which in-situ remediation technique uses microorganisms injected into contaminated groundwater to break down chlorinated solvents?
Answer: Enhanced bioremediation
Enhanced bioremediation introduces electron donors and specialized microbes (e.g., Dehalococcoides) to degrade chlorinated solvents like PCE and TCE in place.
A site contaminated with arsenic-laden soil is treated by mixing iron-based amendments into the soil to immobilize the contaminant. This approach is best classified as:
Answer: Chemical stabilization/solidification
Chemical stabilization uses amendments like iron oxyhydroxides to bind heavy metals such as arsenic, reducing their mobility and bioavailability.
Which metric is most commonly used to evaluate the effectiveness of a carbon offset project over time?
Answer: Permanence and additionality scores
Carbon offset quality is judged primarily on permanence (long-term storage) and additionality (emissions reductions beyond business-as-usual).
A coastal municipality wants to reduce storm surge damage using nature-based solutions. Which strategy would be most effective?
Answer: Restoring and expanding mangrove and wetland buffers
Mangroves and coastal wetlands attenuate wave energy, trap sediment, and sequester carbon, making them highly effective nature-based coastal defenses.
When applying the mitigation hierarchy, which step should be addressed FIRST before considering offsets?
Answer: Avoidance of environmental impact
The mitigation hierarchy prioritizes avoid, minimize, restore, and offset in that order — avoidance of harm is always the first and preferred step.
Soil vapor extraction (SVE) is most effective for remediating which type of contamination?
Answer: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in permeable soils
SVE applies a vacuum to extract VOC vapors from the unsaturated (vadose) zone, and works best in permeable soils with high contaminant volatility.
A company implements a greenhouse gas reduction plan that achieves a 30% emissions cut through internal projects before purchasing offsets. This approach best reflects:
Answer: A 'reduce first, offset last' mitigation hierarchy for emissions
Best practice for corporate climate action requires maximizing internal emission reductions before using offsets to address residual emissions.