Effects of cadmium on mercury accumulation and transformation by Arundo donax L.

High biomass energy plants are a promising alternative to hyperaccumulators for the remediation of heavy metals (HMs). Arundo donax L. (A. donax) is a rapidly growing rhizomatous grass with high biomass production. However, the feasibility of using A. donax for the phytoremediation of combined mercury (Hg) and cadmium (Cd) pollution under neutral conditions is unclear. In this study, a hydroponic experiment was performed to investigate the impact of Hg–Cd stress on the growth and physiological properties of A. donax and HMs accumulation and transformation. Either single Hg or Cd stress slightly enhanced stem height, fresh biomass, and chlorophyll content, whereas combined Hg–Cd stress reduced these parameters. Furthermore, combined Hg–Cd stress increased the leaf content of malondialdehyde in A. donax, indicating that the combined pollution aggravated oxidative stress in A. donax. Hg volatilization was observed during the 10-day experiment, implying that a portion of the Hg2+ was transformed into Hg0 by A. donax. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) values of A. donax were far greater than 1 for both Hg and Cd, whereas the translocation factor (TF) values were less than 1, indicating that phytovolatilization and phytostabilization rather than phytoextraction contributed to the remediation of Hg and Cd by A. donax. The solution pH decreased at the beginning of the experiment, suggesting that acidic root exudates of A. donax facilitated the accumulation and transformation of Hg under neutral conditions. Overall, the effects of Cd on Hg accumulation and transformation by A. donax followed the rule of “low promotion and high inhibition.” This study demonstrates that A. donax is a potential candidate for the phytoremediation of combined Hg–Cd pollution under neutral conditions.