Heavy metal accumulation potential of 10 true mangroves and one mangrove-associate species along with host sediments was carried out at 2 study sites of diverse environmental stresses of Indian Sundarban Wetland,a UNESCO world heritage site.The study was undertaken with the following objectives :(i)to investigate the extent of accumulation and the distribution of metals in plant tissues(ii)to determine whether sediment metal levels are correlated with metal levels in tissues and(iii)to find out the suitable candidate for phytoremediation species to be used for conservation of mangrove ecosystems.The sediment and plant samples were prepared by microwave digestion which was followed by analysis with AAS for Co,Cr,Cu,Fe,Mn,Ni,Pb and Zn; coupled graphite furnace AAS for As and Cd; and a hydride generation system(HGS)linked to an atomic absorption for Hg.Mangrove sediments showed unique potential in many fold increase of Cu,Pb,Zn,Cd,Cr,Hg and As than individual mangrove tissues.An overall organspecific enrichment of metals was encountered such as Co,Cu,Hg,As,Mn and Ni in mature leaves.The similar trend was also pronounced in young leaves of the mangroves possessing the salt secreting types.The maximum values of Mn(1726 ?g g-1 in S.caseolaris mature leaf),Fe(938 ?g g-1 in C.tagal root)and Co(3.21 ?g g-1 in C.tagal bark)showing efficiencies of these mangroves to act as a buffer to protect adjacent communities.Translocation factor(TF)value shows the mobility of the Cd(up to 12.6)was always higher than other elements.Bioconcentration factor(BCF),revels an overall high values for Cd for all the tissues for both study sites(maximum 15.5 in E.agallocha in bark tissues).In case of A.corniculatam(at the site Chandanpiri)concentrations for Cu and Fe showed peculiarity by reducing its metal concentration in its mature leaf than its young leaf(in case of Cu-5 times lower,in case of Fe-10 times lower).E agallocha also exhibited same nature.Results of dendrogram showed a similar pattern of clustering in sediments for As-Hg,Co-Pb and Cr-Ni whereas Mn-Fe,Cu-Zn formed an isolated group for all three plant organs(leaf,bark and root).Bruguiera gymnorrhiza,Lumnitzera racemosa and Ceriops tagal accumulated more metals in their tissues and could be used as bioindicator species in future biomonitoring programme.