Environmental
Strategies &
Applications

Site Investigation

Site investigations are the cornerstone of many projects. Whenever there is suspicion of some form of environmental impact, samples are taken and analyzed to determine if contamination is present. The key is to perform an investigation that is sufficiently adequate without going overboard. This is where art meets science.

ESA performs investigations in all media, but the vast majority occur in soil and/or groundwater. Samples are taken via several techniques and the analytical format selected can also vary. Knowing how to take a sample in a given situation is not always as simple as it might seem. ESA knows the subtle sampling nuances that can make a big difference on your project's budget.

In almost all situations, ESA must determine the horizontal and vertical extents of the impact. These data are needed to convince NJDEP that no further action is needed. Those data are also required for almost all remedial designs.

It should be noted that several stages of investigation might be required before a site is characterized sufficiently. For example, generally the results for the first round from a site investigation will determine if any contamination is present at concentrations above the applicable cleanup standards. If contamination is present, then additional sampling may be conducted to determine the extent of the contamination, or determine if the contamination is either entering the site from an off site source or leaving the site.