Abstract
In the present study, the toxic effects of 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Omim]Cl), 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([Omim]Br) and 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([Omim]BF4) in soil on Vicia faba (V. faba) seedlings at 0, 100, 200, 400, 600 and 800 mg kg−1 were assessed for the first time at the cellular and molecular level. Moreover, the toxicity of these three ionic liquids (ILs) was evaluated, and the influence of anions on the toxicity of the ILs was assessed. The results showed that even at 100 mg kg−1, the growth of V. faba seedlings was inhibited after exposure to the three ILs, and the inhibitory effect was enhanced with increasing concentrations of the three ILs. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was increased after exposure to the three ILs, which resulted in lipid peroxidation, DNA damage and oxidative damage in the cells of the V. faba seedlings. In addition, the anion structure could influence the toxicity of ILs, and toxicity of the three tested ILs decreased in the following order: [Omim]BF4 > [Omim]Br > [Omim]Cl. Moreover, oxidative damage is the primary mechanism by which ILs exert toxic effects on crops, and ILs could reduce the agricultural productivity.
Highlights
Ionic liquids (ILs) are a novel class of solvents that are entirely composed of ions at room temperature
At the highest concentration (800 mg kg−1), the V. faba seedlings treated with the three ionic liquids (ILs) nearly stopped growing
The roots of V. faba seedlings treated with [Omim]Cl and [Omim]Br stopped growing when these ILs were applied at 800 mg kg−1
Summary
Ionic liquids (ILs) are a novel class of solvents that are entirely composed of ions at room temperature. Soil represents a more complicated environment in which to study the toxic effects of ILs on plants, especially the influence of ILs on crops. The toxic effects of ILs in soil on terrestrial plants have been previously studied, the only endpoint assessed was growth inhibition[10,11,12,13,14,15]. V. faba is a good environmental indicator organism; it is widely used to study the toxic effects of chemicals[22,23]. With these factors in mind, we chose to study the toxic effects of the three imidazolium-based ILs in soil on V. faba seedlings at the cellular and molecular levels for the first time. The present results could provide a theoretical basis for evaluating the environmental safety of ILs in soil and the influence of ILs on agricultural production
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