Abstract: The author reviewed the absorption and purification of heavy metals by submerged macrophytes and the mechanism of harm. Four aspects were summarized and analyzed: (1) absorption and purification of heavy metals by submerged macrophytes;(2) resistance of submerged macrophytes to the stress of heavy metals and the mechanism; (3) monitoring the polluted water by heavy metals with submerged macrophytes; and (4) the stress of heavy metal contamination and its mechanism in submerged macrophytes.