Concentrations of zinc, copper, cadmium, lead, nickel, iron and chromium in fiv e submerged plants are presented. Metal en richmen t was found to be dependent on the p la n t species and metal type. The uptake of copper, zinc, cadmium, chromium and nicke l from n u tr ien t solutions enriched with these metals using Ottelia alismoides Pers., Fimbristylis pauciflora FT. Br. and Blyxa malayana Ridley was studied. All plants demonstrated the ability to remove copper, zin c and cadmium more rapidly than chromium and nickel. Metal accumulation was a direct function of the exposure level and varied with the plant species. The possible use of Ottelia alismodes and Fimbristylis pauciflora as biological indicators o f water pollution is also discussed.