In this study, four typical submerged macrophytes, namely Hydrilla verticillata, Elodea canadensis, Potamogeton crispus, and Ceratophyllum demersum, were tested for their chlorophyll content and antioxidant enzyme activity, to analyze their cadmium tolerance. The biota-sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) and plant transport factor (TF) were utilized to understand the accumulation capacity of the plants. Finally, the distribution of cadmium in submerged macrophytes was revealed through phytohistochemical methods, to provide theoretical support for the practical application of submerged macrophytes. The results showed that three of the plants, excluding C. demersum, exhibited varying tolerances to cadmium pollution in sediments, among which the tolerance of H. verticillata and E. canadensis were the strongest. P. crispus had the strongest accumulation capacity (BSAF was 2.32) at relatively low pollution levels (≤20 mg·kg-1). In this study, because of its weak root system, the BSAF of C. demersum was less than 1.0, indicating that macrophyte roots play an important role in phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated sediments. Comparing the TF of different plants, it can be found that the roots of H. verticillata had the strongest above-ground cadmium transport capacity, while P. crispus mainly accumulated cadmium in its roots. At the same time, when the cadmium concentration was 50 mg·kg-1, cadmium was found to be evenly distributed in the stem organelles of P. crispus, in contrast to the other plants. Based on the cadmium tolerance and accumulation mechanism of the plants, and in consideration of real-world factors, H. verticillata and P. crispus were selected as ideal plants for repairing cadmium-containing sediments. Meanwhile, based on the different transport capabilities of plants, it is recommended that only the above-ground part of H. verticillate should be removed, while P. crispus should be uprooted regularly.
Keywords: accumulation; cadmium; sediment; submerged macrophytes; tolerance.