Abstract: A method of removing volatile contaminants from a layer of contaminant lying on the top of a water table and in an unsaturated zone including opening a hole into the unsaturated zone and downwardly to at least the top of the layer of contaminant, positioning the end of a solid, air impermeable hollow pipe into the hole and adjacent to air permeable fill material, establishing an airtight seal around the pipe at the hole, reducing the pressure in the pipe in the hole to cause air and contaminant vapors to flow along the layer of contaminant and through the unsaturated zone and into the hole and through the air permeable fill material, and removing air and contaminant vapors from the hole through the pipe.

Abstract: Decontamination is provided by establishing a borehole into the vadose zone, introducing porous fill material into the borehole, positioning a hollow conduit into the borehole, and applying suction to the conduit and the borehole to reduce pressure and cause air and contaminant vapors to move through the vadose zone and into the borehole and through the porous fill material contained therein.