# Enhanced phytoremediation of Cd-As co-contaminated farmland using hydrogen-rich water: Mechanisms and efficiency evaluation in Solanum nigrum L․.
> 水素水によるカドミウム・ヒ素複合汚染農地のファイトレメディエーション促進：イヌホオズキ（Solanum nigrum L.）における機序と効率評価


## Abstract

This study examined the effect of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) on the phytoremediation performance of Solanum nigrum L. in soils co-contaminated with cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) over a 45-day greenhouse experiment. High-concentration HRW exposure led to increased leaf biomass and elevated Cd accumulation. Both the phytoextraction efficiency and translocation factors for Cd and As were significantly improved (p < 0.05) under HRW conditions. Oxidative stress indicators—malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide—declined in leaf tissue, while the activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase rose markedly. Soil analyses revealed that HRW application lowered pH and reduced Cd bioavailability, altering physicochemical properties in ways that may facilitate metal uptake. Collectively, these results indicate that HRW can enhance heavy metal extraction by S. nigrum while simultaneously reducing oxidative damage in plant tissue, suggesting its potential utility for remediating metal-contaminated agricultural soils.

### Mechanism

HRW upregulates antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, POD, CAT), reducing malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide in leaf tissue. Simultaneously, it lowers soil pH and Cd bioavailability, thereby facilitating greater translocation of Cd and As from roots to shoots in S. nigrum.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Chen X, Ding A, Deng L, Wang J, Wang R, Okoye CO, et al.
- **Journal**: J Environ Sci (China)
- **Year**: 2026
- **PMID**: [41765536](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41765536/)
- **DOI**: [10.1016/j.jes.2025.10.025](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jes.2025.10.025)
- **Study type**: other
- **Delivery route**: hydrogen-rich water
- **Effect reported**: positive

## Delivery context

Hydrogen-rich water is a low-risk delivery route, but the achievable systemic hydrogen dose is bounded. For clinical applications, inhalation is the most efficient route; inhalation, however, carries explosion risk, and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10% applies to inhalation environments; high-concentration devices are documented in the Consumer Affairs Agency accident database and are not recommended).

## Safety notes

Hydrogen-rich water is a low-risk delivery route, but the achievable systemic hydrogen dose is bounded. For clinical applications, inhalation is the most efficient route; inhalation, however, carries explosion risk, and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10% applies to inhalation environments; high-concentration devices are documented in the Consumer Affairs Agency accident database and are not recommended).

See also:
- [Inhalation concentration and LFL / UFL](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/inhalation-concentration)
- [Consumer Affairs Agency accident cases](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/accident-cases)
- [Inhalation safety threshold lineage](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/lineage)

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> **Cite as**: H2 Papers — PMID 41765536. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/41765536
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [41765536](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41765536/)