Application of microorganisms as bioremediators for heavy metal removal in high salt environment is usually restricted by high salt concentrations. The effect of NaCl on the heavy metal tolerance and bioaccumulation of Zygosaccharomyces rouxii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae was investigated. For both yeasts, NaCl improved the cadmium and zinc tolerance, reduced the copper tolerance, and showed no obvious effect on the lead and iron tolerance. The bioaccumulation capacities of copper, zinc, and iron increased but the cadmium bioaccumulation capacities decreased after the addition of NaCl. NaCl obviously affected the amount of heavy metals removed intracellularly and on the cell surface. The heavy metal removal was not overwhelmingly inhibited by elevated NaCl concentrations, especially for Z. rouxii, and in some cases NaCl improved their removal ability. The salt-tolerant Z rouxii that showed more powerful heavy metal tolerance and removal ability might be more suitable for heavy metal removal in high salt environment. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.