The present invention provides a method of reducing the concentration of recalcitrant organic contamination in a soil matrix. The method includes the steps of incubating the contaminated soil matrix with unacidified ozone sufficient to reduce the concentration of the recalcitant organic contamination in the soil matrix by about 10% to about 15%; and then applying unacidified ozone to the soil matrix sufficient to substantially reduce the concentration of the recalcitrant organic contamination in the soil matrix. During the incubation phase, the ozone demand of competitive, non-contaminant ozone consumers in the soil is satisfied. Additionally, during the incubation phase, ozone conditions the contaminated soil matrix to prepare the recalcitrant organic contamination for subsequent rapid and substantial destruction. When the concentration of the recalcitrant organic contamination has been reduced by from about 10% to about 15% in the soil, the incubation phase has ended such that the application of additional unacidified ozone to the soil matrix rapidly and substantially reduces the concentration of the recalcitrant organic contamination in the soil matrix.