ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the investigation of three environmental media: surface water, groundwater, and soils. There are many reasons to initial a site investigation. It may be triggered by the discovery of environmental concerns, possibly through a Phase I Endangered Species Act. Investigating a site can involve one or two areas of concern, all known areas of concern, or no areas of concern in the case of a baseline survey. Site investigations rely on sampling and analysis to assess environmental conditions in areas of concern. A surface spill of perchloroethene (PCE) often will volatilize before reaching the soil, although enough of the PCE may reach the subsurface to create a significant problem. The more volatile petroleum products, such as gasoline, will lose much of their mass to the air in the vadose zone; petroleum products with lower volatility will enter the vadose zone without a significant loss of mass to vaporization.
