Background, aim, and scope Ionic liquids (ILs) are a new class of alternative solvents that make ideal non-volatile media for a variety of industrial
processes such as organic synthesis and biocatalysis, as alternative electrolytes, as phases and phase modifications in separation
techniques, and as alternative lubricants. Once the large-scale implementation of ILs begins, the industrial application will
follow. In view of their great stability, they could slip through classical treatment systems to become persistent components
of the environment, where the long-term consequences of their presence are still unknown. Sorption on soils has a critical
effect on the transport, reactivity, and bioavailability of organic compounds in the environment. So far, the IL sorption
mechanism was investigated solely on the basis of batch experiments, which precluded any assessment of the dynamics of the
process. An understanding of the mobility of ILs in soil columns is crucial for an accurate prediction of their fate in the
soil. The aim of this study therefore was to investigate in detail the mobility of selected imidazolium ILs on three soil
types. Moreover, it was decided to study these processes in soils from the coastal region (Gdańsk, Poland), which usually
constitute a very important geochemical compartment, participating in the transport of contaminants on their way to the sea.
Materials and methods The mobility of alkylimidazolium ILs was investigated in columns containing soils from the coastal area. In addition, the
sorption processes in all the soil systems studied were described isothermally and the equilibrium sorption coefficient was
evaluated. The sorption capacities were determined according to OECD guidelines. Sorption dynamics was studied with use of
polypropylene columns (diameter—10 mm, height—100 mm) packed with 10 g of soil. The ionic liquid solution was then injected
into the soil column and left for 24 h to equilibrate. After this, a solution of 0.01 mM CaCl2 was pumped through the column at a rate of 0.3 ml min–1. Effluents were collected from the bottom of the column and analyzed by HPLC.
Results Sorption was strongest on the Miocene silt and the alluvial agricultural soil and weakest on the podsolic soil and Warthanian
glacial till. The Kd value of long-chain ILs was far higher than that of the short-chain ones. Among the substances tested, hydroxylated ILs were
usually more weakly sorbed. Desorption of ILs is inversely correlated with sorption intensity. The experimental results of
the column tests correlate well with those from batch experiments. In the cases of weakly binding soils, ILs were detected
almost immediately in the eluent. The elution profiles of long-chain ILs indicate that these compounds are very strongly sorbed
onto most soils, although certain amounts were transported through the soil. ILs exhibit a certain mobility in soils: in particular,
salts with short and/or hydroxylated side chains are extremely mobile.
Discussion The results indicate a stronger binding of ILs in the first sorption layer; once the first layer is saturated, there are no
more active sites on the soil surface (no free charged groups); hence, there are no more strong electrostatic binding sites,
and dispersive interaction becomes the dominant interaction potential. The influence of the structure of the ILs, especially
the side-chain length was also confirmed: The Kd value of long-chain ILs was far higher than that of the short-chain ones. The long alkyl side chain facilitates dispersive
interactions with soil organic matter and intermolecular binding, and the build-up of a second layer becomes possible. Among
the substances tested, hydroxylated ILs were usually more weakly sorbed. The hydroxyl group in the side chain can alter the
polarity of the compound so strongly that interaction with organic matter hardly occurs; these salts then remain in the aqueous
phase. The experimental results from the column tests correlate well with those from batch tests. In the weakly binding soils
(with low organic matter), the only binding to the soil surface must be via electrostatic interactions, although intermolecular
van der Waals (ionic liquid–ionic liquid) interactions could also be taking place. The elution profile maxima for organic
rich soils are far smaller than for the other soils. In the former, hydrogen bonding, dispersive and π…π interactions play
a more important part than electrostatic interactions. The rapidly “disappearing” maxima of the elution peaks may indicate
that, after elution of ILs from the second layer, it is difficult to extract further sorbed ILs. In the first layer, the ILs
are bound by much stronger electrostatic interactions. To break these bonds, a greater energy is required than that sufficient
to extract ILs from double sorption layers. Results indicate, moreover, that hydrophobic ILs will be sorbed in the first few
centimeters of the soil; migration into the soil will therefore be almost negligible.
Conclusions Sorption of ILs was the strongest in soils with the highest cation exchange capacities and a high organic content. ILs were
also more strongly bound to the first sorption layer. The sorption coefficients of long-chain ILs were far higher than those
of short-chain ones; usually, hydroxylated derivatives were the least strongly sorbed. Results of soil column experiments
to investigate the mobility of ILs in soils correlated well with those from batch tests, and the elution profiles were also
well correlated with organic matter content. The observed rapidly disappearing elution peak maxima probably indicate that,
after elution of the ILs from the second layer, it is difficult to extract further sorbed compounds.
Recommendations and perspectives Obtained results gave an interesting insight into mobility of ionic liquids in soil columns. However, several questions are
now opened. It is therefore necessary to undertake further studies focused on total cycle of ionic liquids in the soil environment.
This should include their evapotrasporation (lysimeter test), bioaccumulation by plants as well as degradation and transformation
processes (chemical, biological, and physical) typically occurring in soils. Moreover, a further risk assessment of ILs is
desirable since this study has indicated that these compounds, especially those with low lipophilicities, are generally mobile
in the soil matrix. It is already known that short-chain ILs are characterized by low toxicities; should they enter the environment,
they will probably migrate within the soil and pose a risk of contamination of surface and ground waters. This topic is relevant
to the audience. Environmental threat of short-chain ionic liquids is currently unknown. From the predictive point of view,
judging on known low acute toxic effects or high polarities of these compounds seems to be not enough to confirm their “environmental
friendliness”. If we are to fully understand the potential environmental effects, one should also have an insight into long-term
biological consequences of these ionic liquids, including chronic toxicity tests, bioaccumulation, and biotransformation rates
as well as stability against natural elimination mechanisms. 相似文献
Background: Cardiorespiratory syndrome of common foxes is associated with a mortality rate ranging from 2.1% to 20%.
Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of cardiac abnormalities in common foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from Polish farms with a history of cardiorespiratory syndrome.
Animals and methods: The prevalence of cardiac abnormalities in common foxes from a Polish farm with a history of cardiorespiratory syndrome was assessed as well as morphological examination of 60 heart specimens from clinically healthy animals. In addition, 38 foxes were examined echocardiographically and subjected to postmortem examination.
Results: Atrioventricular valvular abnormalities were found in 57 out of the 98 (58%) analyzed hearts. The abnormalities of the mitral valve documented in more than 20% of the foxes in involved tendinous chords (completely lacking or shortened), papillary muscles and mitral cusps associated with both insufficiency and stenosis of the left atrioventricular orifice. Abnormalities of the tricuspid valve included significant shortening of the tendinous chords and thickening of the valve cusps with the impairment of their mobility. The results of the echocardiographic and postmortem examination were consistent in 79% of the cases. The specimens collected from animals with and without atrioventricular valvular anomalies did not differ significantly in terms of cardiomyocyte width, number of inflammatory cells, adipose tissue content and presence of polychromatic cardiomyocytes.
Conclusion: Congenital atrioventricular valvular defects may be involved in the etiology of cardiorespiratory syndrome in common foxes, and echocardiography can be used as a measure of stock's health and a criterion for selection for mating. 相似文献
We conducted underwater surveys using SCUBA gear to examine habitat and microhabitat competition between the Ponto‐Caspian racer goby Babka gymnotrachelus and native European bullhead Cottus gobio to assess the potential for competitive displacement of the native species by the invading species. In summer, 88 surveys were made in a tributary of the River Vistula within defined benthic areas across the entire width of the river bed. The occurrence of fish by total length class (small: <6 cm; large: >6 cm) and environmental conditions (depth, water velocity, substratum type, plant cover, shelter type) was recorded. We found a substantial separation between the species and size classes in relation to substratum, shelter type and water velocity. European bullheads were limited to lotic areas with stony bottoms, whereas racer gobies also occupied lentic areas over sand or mud. European bullheads usually took refuge under stones in contrast to a wider range of shelters used by racer goby, including tree roots and rubbish. In general, the breadth of habitat used by the racer goby was wider than that of the European bullhead, although habitat overlap between the species was not statistically significant except for the type of shelter occupied by small fish, selecting smaller stones. An inverse relationship was observed between small European bullheads and all racer gobies in areas where they co‐occurred, suggesting that invader may be having an adverse effect on the distribution and habitat use of small native bullheads, particularly in areas of moderate water velocities over small stones and gravel. 相似文献
Chilling stress is a major factor limiting the yield of soya bean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] on a global scale. However, the regulatory network that controls the chilling response of soya bean remains unclear. In the present study, phenotyping and quantitative analyses of miRNAs in soya bean under chilling stress were carried out to determine the impact of environmental constraints on soya bean productivity. Measurements done during soya bean growth in chilling along with the results of field trials indicated that the cultivars Augusta and Fiskeby V responded differently to low temperatures. Although chilling affected the reproductive development of both cultivars, the final seed output remained unchanged. The differential expression of miR169, miR319, miR397 and miR398 under cold stress was detected using ddPCR. Upon chilling in the reproductive stage, we found that these miRNAs had contrasting expression profiles in Augusta and Fiskeby V. A set of candidate target genes was predicted based on degradome sequencing data. A negative correlation was found between the expression of miR169, miR319 and miR398 and their targets in the roots of both cultivars. Our work elucidates the impact of chilling stress on the productivity of two soya bean cultivars and reveals the importance of miRNA involvement in the low temperature response. 相似文献
The purpose of these investigations has been to assess the in vivo effect of dexamethasone (DEX) and meloxicam (MEL) on percentages and absolute counts of cells within selected T lymphocyte subsets and NK cells in cattle. DEX application caused substantial loss of NK, CD4+, CD8+ and WC1+ T cells, but the drug’s influence on T-cell count was selective, that is it varied according to the presence and intensity of CD25 expression. Reduced counts of T lymphocytes were due to the depletion of CD25−CD4+, CD25−CD8+ and CD25−WC1+ T cells. The loss of CD25−CD8+ and CD25−WC1+ T cells was a deep and lasting disorder, whereas the depletion of CD25−CD4+ T cells was manifested less strongly and regressed promptly. The administration of DEX did not affect absolute counts of CD25lowCD4+ and CD25lowCD8+ T cells, but induced an increase in percentages and absolute counts of CD25highCD4+, CD25highCD8+, CD25lowWC1+ and CD25highWC1+ T cells. In respect of the effect on counts of CD4+, CD8+ and WC1+ T cells, MEL proved to be a safe medication, because it did not alter counts of these lymphocytes. The administration of MEL led to an increase in the absolute count of NK cells, but the effect did not appear quickly and its development required time. 相似文献
Actual information on the level of accumulation of PAHs in soils, their inputs/outputs and fate is still unsatisfactory. The regional scale of data collection is important from practical point of view, since decisions regarding environment protection often require proper assessment of soil information aggregated on this level. The objective of the study was to define the regional levels of PAHs in soils and to examine the relationship with the parameters related to their inputs (emission factors) and to natural conditions (soil properties, geographical localisation). The territory of Poland, comprising 16 regions, was chosen as a model area representing the Central/East European countries. The concentrations of 16 PAH compounds were determined in 266 soil samples collected from 0 to 30-cm upper soil layer from agricultural lands. The data were supplemented with basic soil properties. The regional concentrations of Σ16PAHs were within the limits of 125–756 μg kg?1 (geometric means) and did not exceed the limit values specified in Polish regulations. They complied also with European soil screening values for intermediate or negligible risk. The key variable affecting the accumulation of PAHs in soils was the regional emission of those contaminants, which described soil concentrations of PAHs in at least 50%; the results suggest time-dependent (delayed) reaction of soil environment to the emission changes. The effect was sensitive to PAH compositions in soils and was most pronounced in the case of higher molecular weight compounds (≥4 rings) transported predominantly with atmospheric particles. The regression models, comprising actual regional emission data, did not indicated on the increasing risk of PAHs accumulation in soils. The evaluations based on the regional content of benzo(a)pyrene in soils implied significant discrepancies between Polish and other internationally accepted criteria in soil contamination. The natural factors (soil characteristics and climate) affected the regional PAH concentrations in very small extent. 相似文献
Vigor and selected physiological parameters (content of phenolic compounds, soluble sugars, chlorophyll a and b, and carotenoids)
of eight naked and two husked oat cultivars harvested at 15% moisture content were determined. Oat seeds were threshed using
two rotational speeds of the threshing drum: 1.6 m s−1 (LS) and 2.4 m s−1 (HS). They were then inoculated with a medium pathogenicity strain of Fusarium culmorum, strain IPO 348–01. In naked cultivars, the use of HS resulted in more severe mechanical damage; in consequence, seedling
vigor decreased by 16%. In naked cultivars chlorophyll a and b and carotenoids content were significantly reduced—by more
than 64%—when the HS was used. The inoculation caused over a 100% increase of carbohydrates in roots at LS but only a slight
increase at HS. Phenolic compound content was twice as high in roots than in leaves after inoculation for both LS and HS.
Area of microdamage and reduction of root fresh weight (f.wt.) are significantly correlated with biochemical parameters. Smaller
microdamage area and root f.wt. reduction are connected with higher physiological parameters, which confirms lower seedling
susceptibility to pathogen infection. 相似文献