The Addition of Degradable Activators Enhances Sedum alfredii Phytoremediation Efficiency in Cd-Contaminated Soils

Honggang Li, Ling Huang, Zhiliang Chen (), Hang Wei, Mengqiang Sun, Xiaoqing Huang, Haochao Li and Qianjun Liu
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Honggang Li: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
Ling Huang: Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Heavy Metal Pollution Control and Restoration in Farmland Soil, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510275, China
Zhiliang Chen: Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Heavy Metal Pollution Control and Restoration in Farmland Soil, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510275, China
Hang Wei: Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Heavy Metal Pollution Control and Restoration in Farmland Soil, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510275, China
Mengqiang Sun: Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Heavy Metal Pollution Control and Restoration in Farmland Soil, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510275, China
Xiaoqing Huang: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
Haochao Li: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
Qianjun Liu: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 7, 1-15

Abstract: Soil cadmium (Cd) pollution is a critical environmental issue that requires urgent remediation. Sedum alfredii Hance, known for its high biomass, strong stress tolerance, and suitability for harvesting, serves as an excellent hyperaccumulator. This study used field experiments to investigate the enhancement of Cd phytoremediation in soil using three activators: citric acid (CA), malic acid (MA), and polyaspartic acid (PASP). The results showed that the biomass of Sedum alfredii was increased by 8.95–28.37% by the addition of these activators, significantly boosting its Cd accumulation efficiency, with an average removal rate increase of 12%. Among all activators, CA exhibited the most substantial enhancement effect, with enrichment coefficients of 36.26% and 11.56% for the aboveground parts and roots of Sedum alfredii , respectively, and a 21.15% increase in the Cd removal rate. Although PASP had a less pronounced effect on biomass and Cd uptake, with decreases of 15.25% and 35.34% in the aboveground parts and roots, respectively, it significantly impacted soil Cd speciation and increased the activation rate by 20%.

Keywords: cadmium pollution; phytoremediation; activators; Sedum alfredii; field experiments; removal rate (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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