How do heavy metals affect stomatal movements and whether water channels are involved in stomatal movements was investigated in broad bean (Vicia faba L.) leaves. Three-week old fully expanded leaves were harvested. Leaf epidermis was peeled off and soaked in the Mes-KOH buffer containing the salts of heavy metals. Stomatal aperture was measured under the microscope. The tested heavy metal ions, such as Hg2+, Pb2+, Zn2+, and La3+, partly inhibited stomatal opening in light or closing in darkness at submillimolar concentrations, while K+, Na+ and Mg2+ had no visible effects on stomatal movements. As compared to La3+, Hg2+ affected stomatal movements more significantly. Stomatal movements were almost completely inhibited under a combined Hg2+ and La3+ treatment. Apparently, La3+, a Ca2+ channel blocker, inhibits the changes in the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration in guard cells, thus affecting stomatal movements. The inhibitory effect of Hg2+ on stomatal movements may be explained by the inhibition of water channels. Like Hg2+, Zn interfered with stomatal movements. It is concluded that heavy metals at submillimolar concentrations inhibit stomatal movements. They may affect water fluxes through guard cell membranes in different ways, i.e., Hg2+, Pb2+ Zn2+ inhibit water channels, whereas La3+ block ion channels. Water channels may be involved in stomatal movements by regulating water fluxes and play a dominant and primary role in stomatal movements.