The study looked at how two types of plants in the Yellow River Delta in China absorb and transfer heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, and zinc. They found that Suaeda salsa and Phragmites australis absorb heavy metals differently in their roots, stems, and leaves. In tidal flooding wetlands, Suaeda salsa had higher levels of lead and zinc in its leaves, while Phragmites australis had lower levels. In short-term flooding wetlands, both plants had higher levels of lead and zinc in their leaves. Suaeda salsa roots absorbed more arsenic and cadmium, while Phragmites australis leaves absorbed more. The transfer of heavy metals differed between the two types of wetlands for Phragmites australis, but not for Suaeda salsa.