A process for in situ groundwater decontamination within a subsurface
region of earth includes: directing a liquid feed stream through a first
conduit; injecting a treatment gas into the first conduit and/or a second
conduit; discharging the liquid feed stream downwardly from the first
conduit through an orifice restriction into the second conduit to form a
confined plunging liquid jet gas and liquid contact zone in the second
conduit; dissolving at least a portion of the treatment gas into the
liquid feed stream in the contact zone to form an enhanced gas
concentration liquid stream; passing the enhanced gas concentration
liquid stream downwardly from the contact zone; and passing the enhanced
gas concentration liquid stream from the second conduit into the
groundwater. A device for performing this process is also disclosed.