Abstract: Friable solid material contaminated by oxidizable hydrocarbons such as petrochemicals is delivered into a system wherein that material is subjected to a series of physical and chemical reactions to separate the contaminants from the solid material. The system can receive solid material, separate coarse and fine material and suspend the fine material in an aqueous medium. The aqueous suspension is subjected to temperature adjustment and the addition of an oxidizing agent preferably hydrogen peroxide. The suspension is agitated for a period of time to allow the hydrocarbons to be oxidized. The gaseous oxidation products are stripped and separated from the residual solid material. The aqueous suspension of solid material and diluent are physically separated and the solid material may be returned to its point of origin after treatment. The process and apparatus for carrying out the process are preferably applied to soils containing hydrocarbon pollutants.