Sorption of ionic liquids in soil enriched with polystyrene microplastic

The purpose of our study was to investigate the effect of micropolystyrene (MNP) on the sorption processes of ILs exhibiting herbicidal activity in an OECD model soil. A popular herbicide known as 2,4-D was used for the study.

This anion was individually combined with two cations of different hydrophobicity, namely choline [Chol] and a hydrophobic choline derivative, which was modified by introducing a C12 chain [C12Chol].

Analyzing the behavior of the cations and anions that make up ILs in soil environments contaminated with micropolystyrene (MNP) is really crucial. In addition, this information will help determine the integrity of the cation-anion pair, which forms the selected IL, in the soil. Such studies will help to better understand whether ILs are potentially a new emerging contaminant