Response of cadmium to Ceratophyllum demersum L., a rootless submerged plant

Ceratophyllum demersum, a rootless aquatic plant, was evaluated for its metal-accumulating ability. Plants of C. demersum cultured in 3% Hoagland nutrient medium were supplemented with 0.05, 0.1, 1.0 and 2.0 μg/ml of Cd. Plants showed substantial accumulation of the metal at all concentrations. At 0.05 μg/ml the Concentration factor (Cf) value for Cd was 3027. The high level of tolerance showed by this plant at low concentration may be useful in evaluating its ability in metal abatement programmes.