A procedure for the on-site reduction to a predetermined level of the concentration of hexavalent chromium in a saturated or unsaturated contaminated area or ground, in which an in-depth treatment of this area or ground is carried out with a predetermined quantity of a gaseous mixture consisting of hydrogen and another inert gas in order to chemically reduce the hexavalent chromium to a state of lower valence, in particular to the state of trivalent chromium.