What type of sampling may occur in a Phase II ESA?

In a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), the focus is typically on the identification and characterization of potential environmental contamination. During this phase, subsurface soil sampling and groundwater testing are crucial steps undertaken to assess the presence of hazardous substances that may not be apparent from surface inspections alone.

Subsurface soil sampling allows investigators to analyze soil layers where contaminants may have migrated, often from a source on or near the surface. Groundwater testing is equally important because it helps determine if pollutants have leached through the soil and entered the water table, which can pose significant health and environmental risks.

The other options, while they involve environmental testing, do not align as closely with the objectives of a Phase II ESA, which is primarily concerned with subsurface conditions that may indicate contamination risks. Therefore, focusing on subsurface sampling and groundwater provides a more direct evaluation of potential hazards relating to the site in question.