Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
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The total quantity of the building waste has to be estimated in order to allow
costs calculations.
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The environmental quality of the new soil material that will be used to replace
the building waste has to be determined.
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When covering the building waste:
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The immobility of the heavy metal contamination has to be evaluated.
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The environmental quality of the new soil material that will be used as a cover
layer has to be determined.
As might be clarified by this example, the early identification of potential solu-
tions to the contamination problem is of major importance for the type of site
investigation. Thus, the site investigation should not only focus on determination
of the concentrations of contaminants that can be found in soil and groundwater and
the spatial distribution of those contaminations. It also should deliver information
that is necessary to perform a Risk Assessment, to identify potential exposure path-
ways, to obtain information on the geology and hydrology of the site and on future
foreseeable events (e.g. flooding), etc.
Investigation of the nature and extent of (potential) soil contamination will usu-
ally be the main objective. However, that objective will usually be formulated in
such general terms that further delineation will be necessary. This can be done
through the identification of “subsidiary objectives” or technical goals.
3.4 Technical Goals
The identification of technical goals that are relevant for a specific site enables the
investigator to define a site-specific approach for the investigation. Using a site-
specific approach is of course of major importance for a cost-effective investigation.
The technical goals should be formulated in such a way that these indeed provide
direct guidance to the investigator. Technical goals therefore are:
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To identify the contaminants that are, or may be, present on the site.
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To determine the spatial distribution of the contaminants over the site, both in the
horizontal as well as in the vertical direction, covering, when relevant, the solid,
gaseous, as well as the aquatic phase of the soil.
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To determine the (potential) mobility of contaminants.
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To identify receptors (e.g. humans, the ecosystem, the groundwater) that are
currently at risk, or that might be at risk after redevelopment of the site.
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To identify the pathways by which the receptors might be exposed to
contaminants.
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To provide data and other information that can be used to quantify the Risk
Assessment for the site.
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To provide information that will be necessary for the design of protective or
remedial measures to be taken on the site.
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