The semi-empirical Hartree-Fock intermedate neglect of differential overlap (INDO) method was used to explore the potential energy surface of adsorbed water molecules and to speculate, using fairly simple cluster models,on the reaction path followed by metal ions leaving the surface. As an example, INDO calculations were used to calculate the potential energy curve for a metal atom leaving the surface and entering into a solvation cage composed of tetrahedral arranged water molecules. The effect of adding a NsC1 ion pair to the system with the halide ion above the dissolving atom was also explored.