ASBOG ASBOG - Association of State Boards of Geology Environmental Site Assessment and Remediation Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA) as a remediation strategy relies on:

Accepted Answer

Natural biological, chemical, and physical processes to reduce contaminant concentrations over time

Answer

MNA relies on naturally occurring processes including biodegradation, dispersion, dilution, sorption, and volatilization to reduce contaminant concentrations to acceptable levels without active intervention.

Question 2

A permeable reactive barrier (PRB) treats contaminated groundwater by:

Accepted Answer

Allowing the plume to flow passively through reactive media (commonly zero-valent iron) that degrades contaminants

Answer

A PRB is installed perpendicular to groundwater flow; as the plume passes through the reactive medium, contaminants are immobilized or degraded without ongoing energy input.

Question 3

Electrokinetic remediation is particularly suited for treating contaminated soils that are:

Accepted Answer

Fine-grained, low-permeability soils where hydraulic methods are ineffective

Answer

Electrokinetic remediation drives contaminant movement via electromigration and electroosmosis under an applied electric field, making it effective where low permeability prevents fluid injection or extraction.

Question 4

The Risk-Based Corrective Action (RBCA) framework determines site cleanup goals based on:

Accepted Answer

Site-specific risk to identified human health and ecological receptors

Answer

RBCA establishes cleanup levels that are protective of actual receptors at a specific site given the realistic exposure pathways and land use, allowing more flexible and cost-effective remediation objectives.

Question 5

Soil Vapor Extraction (SVE) is most effective for removing which type of contaminants?

Accepted Answer

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the unsaturated vadose zone

Answer

SVE applies a vacuum to extraction wells in the vadose zone, inducing airflow that volatilizes and transports VOCs to the surface for treatment, making it most effective for volatile contaminants above the water table.

ASBOG - Association of State Boards of Geology Practice Test

ASBOG - Association of State Boards of Geology Practice Test

ASBOG ASBOG - Association of State Boards of Geology Environmental Site Assessment and Remediation Questions and Answers 2