heavy metal concentrations (as, cd, cr, cu, ni, pb, and zn) were investigated in water, peat, and macrophytes across three fens in central ontario in relation to the water parameters and peat properties to elucidate the interactions between plant sequestration and heavy metal concentrations in the overlying water systems. the water parameters monitored include ph, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, total dissolved solids, salinity, nutrients, chlorophyll a, and dissolved organic matter. the peat properties studied included bulk density, volumetric porosity, and humification, and the plant properties studied included root length and the development of root plaques. in addition, all samples were analyzed for heavy metals. the fens were categorized from poor to rich depending on their water chemistry and plant community. surface water samples were collected from the inlet, outlet and midpoint of the fens in the spring, summer, and fall of 2023. porewater samples were collected from the midpoints of the fens using in situ pore water sampling device. in situ pore water sampling devices were deployed in the peat, and the porewater samples were collected from 10, 20 and 30 cm below the peat surface. peat cores were also collected in fall 2023 from the inlet and the midpoints of the fens to analyze the peat properties and heavy metal concentrations at three different depths (10, 20, and 30 cm below the peat surface). additionally, 13 plant species were collected in fall 2023 from the fens' midpoints and divided into upper and lower biomass for heavy metal analysis. [...]