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1. An important factor limiting the wider application of constructed ecosystems for bioremediation of sites contaminated by toxic chemicals is their relatively low efficiency of contaminant removal. Although there is growing evidence that species‐rich ecosystems may out‐perform species‐poor ecosystems in removing excessive nutrients from water through niche partitioning, it remains unknown whether diverse ecosystems are more efficient in removing toxic chemicals from the environment, and if they are, by what mechanisms diverse ecosystems can lead to enhanced removals.

2. In this study, we exposed aquatic algal microcosm ecosystems of varying species richness to a realistic cadmium (Cd) contamination scenario. We explore the mechanisms of Cd removal by assemblages with differing diversity and consider the potential role of diversity on Cd bioremediation.

3. Our results suggest that Cd removal …