SERVICE
Environmental Site Assessment Phase 2
The Environmental Site Assessment Phase 2 (ESA) is a more “intrusive” investigation which collects samples of soil, groundwater or building materials to analyze for quantitative values of various contaminants. This investigation is normally undertaken when a Phase 1 ESA determines a likelihood of environmental impacts onsite.
Example of scope of work for a phase 2
- Planning of sampling campaign
- Location of underground infrastructure
- Completion of field work:
- Soil sampling
- Groundwater sampling
- Surface water sampling
- Sediments sampling
- Material sampling
- Chemical analysis of samples for relevant parameters
- Interpretation of data
- Preparation of a comprehensive report documenting the findings, a presentation of the study conclusions, and recommendations to address any environmental impacts noted onsite.
Techniques and methods of investigation
- Soils
- Surface soil sampling (< 1 m) – Hand instruments
- Shallow soil sampling (2 à 5 m) – Test pits
- Deep soil sampling (> 7 m) – Drilling
- Groundwater
- Sampling of saturated zone
- Sampling of vadose zone
- Sampling of immiscible phases of contamination (heavy or floating)
- Classification of groundwater
- Determination of hydrogeological conditions
- Surface water
- Drainage ditches, streams (beaker)
- Rivers, lakes (specific equipment)
- Sediments
- Ditches and streams (split spoon, grab sample)
- Rivers, ponds, lakes (coring, grab sample)
- Decommissioning materials
- Bulk sampling
- Swab sampling
