NOVELTY - In situ removal of contaminants from soil or ground water comprises establishing a venting well (28) having gas permeable openings at the upper end and a condensate drain at the lower end, and removing volatile contaminants through the well.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The method involves    (a) establishing in situ venting lateral means (28) having gas permeable openings;    (b) establishing in situ injection wells (18);    (c) injecting oxygen-containing fluid into the injection wells; and    (d) placing vertical venting means comprising sand beneath the venting lateral means, the volatile contaminants in the ground water or soil being removed through the venting lateral means.    INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for    (i) the apparatus used in the process, and    (ii) the in situ gas sparging and bioremediation for the removal of contaminants from soil or ground water present in the soil in the form of a ground water aquifer, there being a vadose zone existing down to a water table defining the upper boundary of the ground water aquifer.    CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: A vacuum is applied to the venting well. The venting well and the injection well are established as a well nest. Microorganisms are provided in the subsurface and nutrients/food supplied to the microorganisms. The method further involves sampling the soil or water, isolating at least one microorganism useful in biodegrading the contaminants, fermenting the microorganisms to increase their population, and inserting the fermented microorganisms into the subsurface. The contaminants are collected using an elongated tube reservoir having entry points with filtration means. The venting well additionally has gas-permeable but low capillary-lift fill material below the gas-permeable openings in the venting well.    USE -   For in situ remediation of organic contaminants, such as hydrocarbons, and inorganic contaminants, such as metals, from subsurface soil and ground water. In situ remediation of excavated materials and surface spills of liquid contaminants amy also be conducted utilising the method and apparatus.    ADVANTAGE -   The method avoids the use of expensive surface water treatment equipment and enhances remediation.    DETAILS OF DRAWING - The drawing shows a cross-section of a subterranean soil formation having a water table.    Contaminated site (10)    Vadose zone (12)    Aquifer (14)    Water table (16)    Injection well (18)    Venting well (28)