A newly isolated photosynthetic bacterium, Rhodobacter sphaeroides HY01 showed high hydrogen production performance and good flexibility on genetic modification. In order to investigate its potential on using wastewater containing heavy metal ions for photosynthetic hydrogen production, the effects of four conventional heavy metal ions, Pb2+, Cu2+, Cr6+ and Cd2+, on the photosynthetic hydrogen production performance of R. sphaeroides HY01 were studied. The results suggested that the concentration of Pb2+ 0.5 mg/L, Cu2+ 0.05 mg/L, Cr6+ 0.05 mg/L, Cd2+ 20 mg/L showed maximum positive effects on the hydrogen production rates and yields. This strain cultured in different heavy metal ions at optimum concentrations showed similar growth curves and optical density. The removal efficiency of heavy metal ions were determined to be 65%-76% for Cd2+, 54%-80% for Cr6+, 30%-38% for Pb2+ and 96%-100% for Cu2+. The results suggest that HY01 was sensitive to Cr6+ and Pb2+, and relative of high tolerance to Cu2+ and Cd2+. (C) 2016 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.