PHYTOTOXICITY OF QUATERNARY AMMONIUM SALTS WITH HEXAFLUOROPIIOSPHATE ANION

Quaternary ammonium salts (QAS) constitute a very popular group of chemical compounds, which are widely used in various chemical industries. Due to the large potential use of these chemicals, there is a risk that they may reach the environment and contaminate it. Therefore, it is important to consider an effect of these compounds on the environment. The present study evaluated an effect of three QAS: tetramethylammonium [TMA][PF6], tetrabutylammonium [TBA][PF6], and tetrahexylammonium [THA][PF6] hexafluorophosphates on two terrestrial plant species – spring barley (Hordeum vulgare) and common radish (Raphanus sativus L. subvar. radicula Pers.). The study demonstrated that all examined compounds exhibit high phytotoxicity with respect to higher plants. The plant more sensitive to the applied compounds was spring barley. An inhibition of the growth of plants and their roots, decrease in the fresh weight, increased dry weight and accumulation of fluorine in both plants’ cells were observed as a result of QAS activity. All specified parameters of quaternary ammonium salts toxicity were linearly correlated with an increase in QAS concentration in the soil.