Effects of dissolved organic matter from the rhizosphere of the hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii on sorption of zinc and cadmium by different soils

► Hyperaccumulating ecotype of S. alfredii exude more DOM than NHE. ► The hydrophilic fraction in HE-DOM is much greater than NHE-DOM. ► The partition coefficient was decreased significantly in the presence of HE-DOM. ► Increasing HE-DOM will reduce the sorption and increase the desorption of metals. ► HE-DOM increase metal mobility through the formation of soluble DOM-metal complexes.