ABSTRACT
Site characterization can be broken down into two parts: Preremediation characterization activities that encompass both defining the unique natural conditions of the site and the characterization activities that occur as part of the environmental remediation process. Under macroengineering, site and waste characterization becomes the means of defining the general nature and extent of contamination. The objectives of site characterization programs will vary depending on the technical options being considered by the environmental restoration program. Surface soil and near-surface soil are collected before, during, and after the remedial activities for several different purposes. Sampling plans must be developed that specify the numbers, locations, purpose, and rationale for collecting each type of soil sample. The intent of soil/sediments/ground-density-sampling efforts is to characterize material sufficiently to ensure a within-95% confidence level that the results are within the selected criteria for proper disposition of the material. The sampling program and the analytical methods chosen must meet precision, accuracy, representativeness, comparability, and completeness requirements.
