The 136 labeled compounds chloroacetic acid (CA), chloroacetamide (CAM), and chloroactonitrile (CCN), have been synthesized, and provide the site reactivity probes (SRP) of the present disclosure. The reactivity of diverse environmental sites and samples, including activated sludge, dump sites, coastal marne water, soil, and lake sediments, have been assessed for site reactivity using the disclosed probes, and provide a useful and accurate index of the sites transformation potential and environmental profile. Methods of using these probes in the assessment of a sample from a desired environment are also disclosed. Application in health, remediation, and environmental profiling of a region may be provided with the various site reactivity probes described. Particular methods for assessing the effectiveness of remediation efforts and in gauging the effects of treatments to an environmental site are further particular applications of the technology disclosed herein.
