Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A process for the treatment of a solution used for the decontamination of a radioactively contaminated surface, the solution containing radioactive metal ions and an organic complexing agent, the process comprising treating the solution with a reagent suitable for the destruction of the complexing agent and containing a metal capable of existing in more than one oxidation state, and raising the pH of the resultant solution to a level at which the metal of the reagent precipitates or flocs out of the solution. 2. A process according to  claim 1  wherein the reagent is capable of providing active oxygen. claim 1 3. A process according to  claim 2  wherein the active oxygen is in the form of a hydroxyl radical. claim 2 4. A process according to  claim 1  wherein the reagent is Fenton""s reagent. claim 1 5. A process according to  claim 1  wherein the reagent includes one or more catalysts. claim 1 6. A process according to  claim 5  wherein the reagent includes one or more transition metal catalysts. claim 5 7. A process according to  claim 6  wherein the reagent includes iron, chromium and/or copper. claim 6 8. A process according to  claim 1  wherein the solution is additionally treated with electromagnetic radiation. claim 1 9. A process according to  claim 8  wherein the electromagnetic radiation is UV or visible radiation. claim 8 10. A process according to  claim 1  wherein the solution is treated at an ambient temperature. claim 1