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Published on: March 24, 2018
Sorption of imidazolium-based ionic liquids to aquatic sediments
J J Beaulieu1, J L Tank, M Kopacz
1University of Notre Dame, Department of Biological Sciences, 191 Galvin Life Sciences, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA. jbeaulie@nd.edu
Chemosphere
|September 14, 2007
Summary
Ionic liquids (ILs) may enter aquatic systems. Sediments show limited capacity to sorb these compounds, suggesting ionic liquids may travel extensively in water.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Green Chemistry
Background:
- Ionic liquids (ILs) are explored as sustainable solvents due to low volatility.
- Industrial use of ILs may lead to their release into aquatic environments.
- Sorption to sediments can influence the fate and transport of contaminants in water.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the sorption capacity of natural aquatic sediments for alkylmethylimidazolium-based ionic liquids.
- To determine the influence of sediment properties and IL concentration on sorption.
- To evaluate the potential for sediments to attenuate IL transport in aquatic systems.
Main Methods:
- Batch mixing experiments were performed using four ILs and four sediment types.
- Sorption isotherms were analyzed to determine distribution coefficients (K(d)).
- The relationship between K(d), initial IL concentration, and sediment organic matter (SOM) was investigated.
Main Results:
- Sorption isotherms were non-linear, with K(d) decreasing as IL concentration increased.
- Apparent distribution coefficients (K(d)) ranged from 7.9 to 95.7 L kg(-1) at 0.5 mM initial concentration.
- Sorption was positively related to sediment organic matter content, but overall sorption was weak.
- Alkyl chain length did not significantly impact sorption, indicating hydrophobic interactions are not the primary mechanism.
Conclusions:
- Aquatic sediments exhibit a limited capacity for sorbing alkylmethylimidazolium ionic liquids.
- Sediment attenuation of IL transport in aquatic systems is expected to be minimal.
- Further research is needed to understand the environmental fate and potential risks of ILs in aquatic ecosystems.
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