Abstract:
<p align="justify"> The residues (ash agglomerates from combustion) generated at the São Jerônimo Power Station (UTSJ) were characterized with the main objective of evaluating, in pre-established conditions, the release of Cd, Co, Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn, Mn, Al, and Fe to the environment. Results revealed that, at different pH values, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Al were present in higher contents. In surface waters, for all sites analyzed, Fe and Al surpass the environmental standards imposed by Brazilian Legislation for class II surface waters. Surface sediments at the sites studied are basically composed by ashes from UTSJ, and a cumulative effect of deposition of the metals on the river sediments was verified. The experimental results are strongly indicative of an imperative need for a change in criteria in relation to the final disposal of residues from UTSJ. Otherwise, there is a high risk that the environmental impact in the short term will irreversibly damage the environment. </p>