ABSTRACT
Aquatic ecosystems (freshwater, marine, and estuarine) act as receptacles for trace elements [1-3]. Several angiospermous families — namely, Cyperaceae, Potamogetonaceae, Ranunculaceae, Haloragaceae, Hydrocharitaceae, Najadaceae, Juncaceae, Pontederiaceae, Zosterophyllaceae, Lemnaceae, Typhaceae, etc. — have aquatic and semiaquatic environments. Aquatic/wetland plants play a crucial role in biogeogenic cycling of trace elements through their active and passive cycling of elements. They act as ‘‘pumps for essential and nonessential elements’’ [3]. Uptake of elements into plant tissue promotes immobilization in plant tissues and thus constructed wetlands are gaining significance for wastewater treatment [4].
