Contamination Assessment and Characterization

Phase II Environmental Site Assessments are conducted when a potential environmental concern has been found on a property. Methods used for Phase II Assessments include soil, air and water sampling. One of the most common types of assessments involves sampling and analyzing soil and groundwater. The sample is capped, labeled, and placed on ice. The samples are then brought to the laboratory for analysis. Following field work, Ceres prepares a detailed report to document each field activity and to provide conclusions and recommendations.

If a property has been found to have been impacted by contamination, the next step is to delineate the horizontal and vertical extent of the plume (Characterization Phase). Phase III Environmental Site Assessments often require extensive interaction with local environmental regulators in terms of their approval of work plans, permitting, and oversight of assessment activities. Ceres Associates’ experience with regulators allows the company to push these projects through the cleanup process.