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U.S. EPA Contaminated Site Cleanup Information (CLU-IN)


U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. EPA Technology Innovation and Field Services Division

For more information on Soil Vapor Extraction Optimization, please contact:

Jim Cummings
Technology Assessment Branch

PH: 202-566-0868 | Email: cummings.james@epa.gov



Soil Vapor Extraction

Overview

Soil vapor extraction (SVE) is used to remediate unsaturated (vadose) zone soil. A vacuum is applied to the soil to induce the controlled flow of air and remove volatile and some semivolatile organic contaminants from the soil. SVE usually is performed in situ; however, in some cases, it can be used as an ex situ technology.


Community Guide to Soil Vapor Extraction and Air Sparging
EPA 542-F-21-022, 2021

The Community Guide series (formerly Citizen's Guides) is a set of two-page fact sheets describing cleanup methods used at Superfund and other hazardous waste cleanup sites. Each guide answers six questions about the method: 1) What is it? 2) How does it work? 3) How long will it take? 4) Is it safe? 5) How might it affect me? 6) Why use it?

4.8 Soil Vapor Extraction (In Situ Soil Remediation Technology)
In Remediation Technologies Screening Matrix and Reference Guide, Version 3.0. Federal Remediation Technologies Roundtable.

Passive Soil Vapor Extraction
1997. A.J. Rohay; R.J. Cameron; B.B. Teters; J. Rossabi; B. Riha; W. Downs BHI--01089, NTIS: DE98051208, 20 pp.

Available through the DOE Information Bridge.