Apparatus for active in situ multi-element gas sparging for bioremediation
or physico-chemical degration for removal of contaminants in a soil
formation containing a subsurface groundwater aquifer or a substantially
wet unsaturated zone, the multi-gas contained in bubbles, wherein the
apparatus includes a plurality of injection wells extending to a depth of
a selected aquifer; introducing an oxidizing agent comprising ozone mixed
with ambient air to provide a multi-element gas by means of microporous
diffusers, without applying a vacuum for extraction of stripped products
or biodegration by-products, wherein said diffusers form micro-fine
bubbles containing said multi-element gas that oxidizes, by stripping and
decomposition, chlorinated hydrocarbons from the aquifer and surrounding
saturated soil formation into harmless by-products; also including a pump
for agitating water in the well selecting microbubbles, injecting them
into the aquifer and effective to alter the path of micro-fine bubbles
through a porous solid formation whereby enhanced contact between the
oxidizing agent contained in each said bubble by stripping pollutant from
solution in ambient water into the mini-atmosphere of each bubble
effective to increase the efficiency and speed of remediation of a site.