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Service Area

Site Characterization

Aimed at Thoroughly Investigation Site Contamination

Designed To Characterize Sources Of Site Contamination And Support Risk Assessments and Remedial Design And Implementation

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Terraphase develops innovative site investigations to support clients in making informed decisions and achieve regulatory compliance. Our engineers, geologists, and scientists have extensive experience characterizing soil, soil vapor, groundwater, and sediment for metals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), petroleum hydrocarbons, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins & furans, and radionuclides.  We use the best available technology and forensic methods to collect data to support risk assessments and/or remedial design, including:

  • Real-time Cone Penetrometer Testing (CPT) to assess subsurface lithology and geotechnical conditions
  • Membrane-Interface Probe (MIP), Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF), and Ultraviolet Optical Screening Tool (UVOST) to assess real-time subsurface contaminant conditions
  • Real-time field screening for lead and arsenic in soil using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technology
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Representative Projects

See How We’ve Made A Difference Across Diverse Industries

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City of Torrance Airport and Commercial Property Site Investigations

Terraphase was engaged by the city of Torrance in California to investigate soil, soil vapor, and groundwater impacted with chlorinated

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Post-Fire Site Investigation and Risk Assessment

A total of 31 structures were destroyed in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SAMO) during the California Woolsey

Worker in safety gear inspecting soil cores.

Former Agricultural Chemical Facility Site Investigation

Terraphase has undertaken a comprehensive, multi-year environmental investigation at a former agricultural chemical distribution facility in Southern California. Site contamination

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Meet Our

Site Characterization Senior Practitioners 

Nick Scala, PG, LSRP

Nick Scala, PG, LSRP

Principal Geologist

John Hildenbrand

John Hildenbrand

Principal Environmental Scientist
James P. Bryson, PG

James P. Bryson, PG

Senior Principal Geologist
Emily Mosen, PG

Emily Mosen, PG

Senior Associate Geologist
Meet Our Team

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Christopher Alger, PG, CHG, CEG

Senior Principal Engineering Geologist

Christopher’s Profile

Christopher Alger, PG CHG, CEG, is a Principal Engineering Geologist at Terraphase and brings over 35 years of scientific investigation, design and consulting experience in a multidisciplinary problem-solving practice that spans contaminant hydrogeology and site remediation to geotechnical engineering for landslide and slope failure studies.

In his subsurface site characterization and remediation practice, Chris has developed creative solutions to accelerate remediation, regulatory closure, and redevelopment of impaired properties in California and throughout the United States.

Chris has designed and implemented a wide range of remediation technologies, including soil vapor extraction systems for volatile chemicals, in situ fixation injection for hexavalent chromium, in situ and ex situ bioremediation, air sparging, ozone injection, groundwater extraction and treatment, dewatering systems, and excavation programs.

Chris is routinely engaged to provide expert review and opinions in peer review and litigation projects for insurance and attorney clients involved with multi-party disputes nationwide. Chris continues to provide expert services for dry cleaner litigation and resolution, superfund defense, RCRA facility operations and closure, cost recovery, and CERCLA claims. His work in this capacity has included preparing declarations, expert reports, remedial cost estimates, depositions, and other expert witness services. Chris’s geotechnical engineering work has involved mapping of Landslides and rockfalls in the San Francisco Bay Area, Yosemite National Park, and Utah’s Wasatch Range. He has served as the engineering geologist responsible for pre-construction geotechnical investigations, oversight of client and third-party residential and commercial grading projects, and geologic hazard investigations.

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