Method for the destruction of organic contaminants through smoldering combustion

A method for remediating contaminated soil and groundwater, the method comprising:

• selecting a treatment material, the treatment material including an inorganic and not combustible porous matrix;
• creating a smolderable mixture of contaminant, treatment material and soils by admixing and emplacing the treatment material into a volume of contaminated soil below ground, the emplacement including regions of the volume of contaminated soil selected from the group consisting of a vadose zone, a region below the water table, and combinations thereof,
• wherein the smolderable mixture is configured to absorb and concentrate the contaminant from the volume of contaminated soil;
• allowing the smolderable mixture to absorb and concentrate the contaminant from the volume of contaminated soil;
• heating a portion of the smolderable mixture by means of a heating source;
• forcing oxidant through the smolderable mixture;
• initiating a self-sustaining smoldering combustion of the smolderable mixture to destroy or remove the contaminant;
• and
• terminating the source of heat applied to the smolderable mixture.