Growth Response, Enrichment Effect, and Physiological Response of Different Garden Plants under Combined Stress of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Heavy Metals

Abstract

The combined pollution of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is very common in China and needs urgent addressal. The use of resistant garden plants for phytoremediation accounts for both ecological restoration and ornamental value and has great application potential. In this study, cadmium (Cd) and pyrene (Pyr) were used as contaminants, and the growth responses, enrichment characteristics, and physiological responses of common garden plants were studied using greenhouse pot experiments. The Cd-Pyr compound stress affected the growth responses of plants. Chinese Pennisetum and lotus exhibited the best Cd-Pyr removal effect: the removal rates of Cd were 68.91% and 60.25%, respectively, and those of Pyr were 77.52% and 63.74%, respectively. Compound stress promoted the protective enzymes of ryegrass, lotus, and Chinese Pennisetum. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the leaves of the five plants was higher than that in the control group, whereas the chlorophyll and carotenoid content were lower. Overall, the order of resistance of the five garden plants tested under Cd-Pyr compound stress was: Chinese Pennisetum, lotus > ryegrass > Hemerocallis, Purple Coneflower.