Ambient temperature decontamination of nuclear power plant component surfaces containing radionuclides in a metal oxide

A method for at least partially disrupting or removing radioactive deposits formed on a surface of a structure in a nuclear water reactor is disclosed. The method includes identifying the structure, taking the structure out of operational service, isolating the structure, contacting the surface of the structure with an aqueous solution, and adding an effective amount of an elemental metal in solid form to the aqueous solution. The effective amount includes an amount to at least partially disrupt or remove the radioactive deposits formed on the surface of the structure. The method is conducted at ambient temperature. The radioactive deposits include oxide-containing radionuclides deposited on the surface. The surface is a primary side structure in the nuclear water reactor.