Phytoextraction, Accumulation and Toxicological Effects of 1-Tetradecyl-3-Methylimidazolium Ionic Liquid in Ryegrass

Abstract Ionic liquids are widely used in many fields due to their extremely tunable nature and exceptional properties. The extensive application of ionic liquids raises great concerns regarding their bioaccumulation potential and adverse effects on organisms.Green plants have a great potential for uptake of persistent xenobiotics from aquatic and terrestrial environment. However, the assimilation and bioaccumulation of 1-tetradecyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([C14mim]Br) has not been studied in plantsyet. In order to explore the phytoaccumulationof [C14mim]+, ryegrass were exposed to [C14mim]Br with hydroponic experiment.The effects of [C14mim]Brdosages on growth index, chlorophyll content, malondialdehyde (MAD) content and antioxidant enzyme activity of ryegrass were investigated. The toxic effects of[C14mim]Bron ryegrass growth increased with increasing initial concentration. The high initial concentration treatment resulted in rapid changes in physiological characteristics in ryegrass tissue. [C14mim]+ions were mainly accumulated in root tissue and partly translocated to the above ground part of ryegrass.[C14mim]+was observed in the highest concentration (314.35 µg/gin root and 101.42 µg/gin aboveground partsof ryegrass) with 10 mg/L of [C14mim]Br.Our results demonstrated that ryegrass can uptake and accumulate [C14mim]+ and is therefore a suitable species for phytroremediationof trace amount of [C14mim]+ and possibly other ionic liquids.