Studies designed to gather the data necessary to determine the type (nature) and extent (location) of contamination at a hazardous waste site. The RI is usually performed at the same time as a Feasibility Study in a process known as the "RI/FS." This process is designed to: Establish criteria for cleaning up the site. Identify and screen cleanup alternatives for remedial action; and Analyze in detail the technology and costs of the alternatives.
A study designed to collect the data necessary to determine the nature and extent of contamination at a site.
CERCLA environmental restoration process phase undertaken to determine the nature and extent of the problem represented by a release of CERCLA hazardous substances. The RI includes environmental sampling, field studies, monitoring, data analysis and completion of a baseline risk assessment and ecological evaluation to determine the nature, extent and impacts to the human health and environment from contaminants present at the site if no remedial action is taken.
Through extensive sampling and laboratory analyses, the RI characterizes the nature and extent of contamination, defines the pathways of migration and measures the degree of contamination in surface water, groundwater, soils, air, plants and animals. Information gathered during the RI attempts to fully describes the contamination problem at the site so that the appropriate remedial action can be developed.
Investigation conducted to characterize the presence and extent of contamination at a site (see the Background FAQ for more on the remedial investigation for the Kalamazoo River).
A soil, ground water, surface water and/or air investigation to determine the extent of contamination present at a site.
An in-depth study (including sampling of air, soil, water and waste) of a contaminated site needing remediation to determine the nature and extent of contamination. The remedial investigation (RI) is usually combined with a feasibility study (FS).
An in-depth study to gather data on contamination that will lead to long-term action to remediate the contamination problem and protect human health.
the CERCLA process of determining the type and extent of hazardous material contamination at a site
The RI component of the RI/FS characterizes the nature and extent of contamination at a hazardous waste site and estimates risks to human health and the environment posed by contaminants at the site (EPA 1997).
An in-depth study designed to gather data needed to determine the nature and extent of contamination at a Superfund site; establish site cleanup criteria; identify preliminary alternatives for remedial action; and support technical and cost analyses of alternatives. The remedial investigation is usually done with the feasibility study. Together they are usually referred to as the "RI/FS".