Oil spills may considerably damage sensitive coastal wetlands. The phytoremediation potential and restoration of a dominant coastal marsh plant, Cyperus rotundus, for diesel pollutant and its phytoremediation effectiveness were investigated in this open-air pot experiment. Cyperus rotundus was transplanted into soil contaminated with diesel at concentrations of 1 000, 5 000, 10 000, 15 000, 20 000 mg/kg. In order to better elucidate the biochemical and physiological responses to diesel pollutants, activity of the antioxidant enzymes peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbic acid oxidase (AAO) were determined in the plant tissue after 50 d treatment at the levels mentioned above. The results showed that CAT and AAO of stem and leaf exhibited peak enzyme activities on 15 000 mg/kg soil and 10 000 mg/kg soil respectively, and declined at higher concentrations. Additionally, the increment of biomass and the content of soluble protein, as well as chlorophyll content were affected by diesel. The highest restoration effectiveness appeared at the level of 5 000 mg/kg. Collectively, Cyperus rotundus is a potential plant which can be used for restoring the diesel-contaminated soil.
