SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES

Background: This study explores the potential use of biomass residues from soybean pressing via static pyrolysis to produce carbonaceous materials for pesticide adsorption. It emphasizes concerns regarding the environmental impact of agroindustrial waste and the persistent nature of pesticides in soil and water systems. Aims: To investigate the efficacy of biochar obtained from soybean waste in adsorbing pesticides. Specifically, to analyze the gas products generated during pyrolysis and characterize the obtained carbonaceous material for its adsorption capabilities. Methods: Soybean residue underwent static pyrolysis at various temperatures and durations. Gas analysis utilizing FTIR spectroscopy identified the gaseous products generated during the pyrolysis process. The obtained biochar underwent successive washes and characterization through FTIR spectra comparison with commercial activated carbon. Through absorption assays, using UV-VIS spectroscopy, investigations were conducted on the solid biocarbon fractions to evaluate their capacity for absorbing pesticides. Results: Gas Analysis: The study revealed the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and highlighted the prevalence of mono-carbon compounds with increased temperature and pyrolysis time. The analysis demonstrated consistent carbon mass percentages across different reaction conditions. Characterization of Biochar: Comparison with activated carbon indicated structural similarities with heightened intensity in certain bands, suggesting the presence of incomplete cellulose cracking in the obtained biochar. Regarding the Chlorothalonil, Atrazine and DIcamba remotion, notably, the concentration of Chlorothalonil in a 7:3 water: acetonitrile solution decreases by 77 % through adsorption on the carbons. Discussion: The investigation examined the adsorption efficiency of the biochar for Chlorothalonil, Atrazine, and Dicamba from aqueous solutions. Chlorothalonil exhibited substantial retention by the biochar, while Atrazine showed comparatively lower adsorption effectiveness. Remarkably, Dicamba did not demonstrate retention by either the biochar or activated carbon. Conclusion: The study underscores the potential of pyrolyzed soybean waste for pesticide adsorption, particularly highlighting Chlorothalonil's strong affinity with the carbonaceous structure. Further research is needed to optimize adsorption properties and explores potential enhancements of these materials through additional treatment methods, offering promising avenues for environmental remediation.

Background: The interview was conducted with Professor Paulo Wilton da Luz Câmara, who serves as an associate professor at the University of Vassouras, general coordinator of postgraduate lato sensu programs, and deputy coordinator of the Master's in Environmental Sciences. The Professor has extensive academic and corporate experience. Objectives: The main objectives were to understand the importance of corporate experience in the role of a professor and researcher, discuss the evolution of public entrepreneurship policies in Brazil, understand the role of incubators, explore research on renewable energies in the defense sector, and learn about planned innovations for postgraduate programs. Methods: The interview was conducted in a semi-structured format with open-ended questions. The audio was transcribed for subsequent analysis and content structuring. Results: Corporate experience significantly influences academic performance. There has been relative improvement in public entrepreneurship policies, but the involved bodies lack specific knowledge. Incubators are necessary tools to foster entrepreneurship and innovation. The main challenges in renewable energy research for defense are awareness and organizational policy. Planned innovations for postgraduate programs include connecting education levels, shared management, and an open committee. Discussion: The Professor highlights the importance of practical corporate experience in enriching academic performance, noting advances in entrepreneurship policies while emphasizing the need for more specific knowledge. Incubators are seen as essential to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation. In the field of renewable energy applied to defense, challenges are related to awareness and organizational policy. Conclusion: The interview underscores the relevance of practical corporate experience in enriching academic performance and the need to improve entrepreneurship policies. Incubators are fundamental to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation. Research on renewable energies in defense faces challenges of awareness and organizational policy. Planned innovations for postgraduate programs aim for greater integration and participation.

Background: Researchers are carried out to assess rocks containing potassium as an alternative source of fertilizers. These studies are important in reducing the external dependence of Brazil on this commodity. Phonolite is a rock of volcanic origin that has in its mineralogical composition the predominance of feldspar and has been potential to use as an alternative potassium source. The studied rock has 6% total-K but is unavailable to plants in natural rock. Aim: This project evaluated the effect of mechanical activation, wet and dry, on K availability for extractors different and its K leaching curves of phonolite from Poços de Caldas, MG, Brazil. Methods: Phonolite rock was subjected to mechanical activation for 30 and 60 min by wet and dry processes. Particle size distribution, XRD, and FTIR analyses characterized phonolite activated. These results were compared to the behavior of the rock with no activation. K availability (total; water-soluble; exchangeable, non-exchangeable, and structural) was determined in samples activated and no activation. K leaching curves were obtained by successive extractions with 0.01 mol L-1 citric acid and Mehlich-1 solutions to 1812 h and analyzed by FAAS. Results: The samples mechanical activation promoted a reduction in the intensity of the diffraction peaks. In the sample dry mechanical activation for 60 min, K released increased by 15% in relation to the no activation sample. K leaching curves were observed with similar behavior for the extractors and higher K availability after 235 h of total contact time. Discussion: Mechanical activation promoted a decrease in structural K and an increase in non-exchangeable K, released into the soil solution in the medium term. Since the mineralogical composition was not changed, the process action is more efficient in creating the structural defects suggested. K leaching curves corroborate these results, with a continuous and slow K released for a longer contact time. Conclusions: It was concluded that the phonolite activated by dry mechanical activation for 60 min increased K-released content compared with the wet process and ratified the possibility of the activated phonolite rock as a slow-release fertilizer.