et al. 2002), Ceratophyllum demersum and Hydrilla verticillata
(Bunluesin et al. 2004) were reported for Cd
remediation. Barring a few studies, like the one for nutrient
(N and P) removal (Lu et al. 2010) or Cd removal in storm
water detention ponds (Lu et al. 2011), Cd removal effi-
ciency of water lettuce, Pistia stratiotes L. is much less
studied, to the best of our knowledge. Pistia stratiotes can
be easily found in aquatic as well as marshy areas of North
east India, where the study took place. The plant shows fast
growth, can grow well even without the use of fertilizers
and has less harvest time. Therefore, the goal of the present
study was to assess Cd removal potential of water lettuce
without the use of chelators or fertilizers.