While long-term organic fertilizer (OF) applications tend to decrease copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) availability in agricultural soils, earthworm bioturbation has been reported to have the opposite effect. Thus, the consequences of OF amendments in earthworm-inhabited soils on Cu and Zn bioavailability to earthworms are still under debate. Here, we assessed the effect of a decade of agronomically realistic OF applications on Cu and Zn availability in earthworm-inhabited soils and the consequences on Cu and Zn bioavailability to earthworms. An epi-endogeic species (Dichogaster saliens) was exposed in microcosms to three field-collected soils that had received either no, mineral, or organic fertilization for a decade. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) properties (i.e., concentration, aromaticity, and binding properties toward Cu), pH, and Cu and Zn availability (i.e., total concentration and free ionic activity) were determined in the solution of the soil containing earthworms. Cu and Zn bioavailability was assessed by measuring the net accumulation (ng) and concentration of Cu and Zn in earthworms (mg kg−1). Despite soil Cu and Zn contamination induced by a decade of OF applications, organic fertilization induced an increase in soil pH and DOM properties that drove the reduction of Cu and Zn availability in earthworm-inhabited soils, while bioturbation had little effect on soil pH, DOM properties, and Cu and Zn availability. Consistently, Cu and Zn bioavailability to earthworms did not increase with OF applications. From an ecotoxicological perspective, our results suggest that agronomically realistic applications of OF for a decade should not pose a risk to earthworms in terms of Cu and Zn net accumulation, but further studies have to be undertaken to understand consequent long-term toxicity after exposure.

Physicochemical and biological characterisation of different dredged sediment deposit sites in France

Water reservoir "Gruza" is used forthe water supply of the town of Kragujevac and it's surroundings. The paper shows a comparative overview of physical, chemical and microbiological parameters during the period of 1987-1989, and 1997-1998. Variations of physical, chemical and microbiological parameters are given in the paper.

The results of the regular water quality monitoring in the river Moraca (Montenegro, Serbia&Montenegro), are presented in this paper. Thirty samples have been processed from six measuring station along the river's flow. The data relevant quality indicators (conductivity, dissolved oxygen, chemical oxygen demand, five days biochemical oxygen demand, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and phosphates) have been processed in the light of the existing regulations. It has been confirmed that the water quality, from the physical-chemical aspect, varies depending on the measuring location and the hydrological situation. The evaluated condition shows that the water quality gets worse, in the period of the five years, on the profiles of downstream places from Podgorica. The level of decrease gets to deviation from the requested A2CII class. It is particularly shown in the changes of the values for the nutrients and the relevant indicators of the organic pollution (dissolved oxygen, five days biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand), which we presume can be consequence of the effect of the algaes during the period of the "low level water".

Nowadays people increasingly use bottled water for drinking which makes bottling a very profitable business. The aim of this paper is better understanding of physical and chemical properties as well as the contents of dominating ions and microbiological purity of 13 spring waters existing on the territory of Zlatibor region (Serbia, Serbia&Montenegro) which according to its water capacity, its watershed features and good roads availability may be further explored for the purpose of water bottling.

The paper deals with determining the dependence of trihalomethanes forming (chloroform, bromdichlormethane, dibromchlormethane and bromoform) on the contents of natural organic matters from groundwater. The analyses was made bay calculating correlation of trihalomethanes forming potential (THMPF) with UV absorbance and permanganate number as surogates parameters for defining in content NOM in water. These were used to observe the changes in the content of organic matters after coagulation. A good correlation of THMPF, PF chloroform and UV absorbance (254 nm) (coeficient of correlation 0.72 and 0.87) was observed as well as a good with UV absorbance (254 nm) (coeficient of correlation - 0.88) and with PN (coeficient of correlation - 0.80) in coeficient of correlation in bromated trihalomethanes forming.

The bacteriological and physicochemical characteristics of water and sediment collected in four fisheries situated in the north of Cameroon were evaluated. In these locations, all the analysed parameters (temperature, pH, salinity, conductivity, turbidity, suspended matter, organic matter, phosphates, sulphates, nitrates, chloride, calcium, magnesium, iron and nitrogen) were the highest, except for chlorides. Total mesophile aerobic flora varied between 1.4±0.50×105 in Tibati and 5.57±0.50×106 CFU/mL in Lagdo. Salmonella concentration was comprised between 66.66±1.62 in Tibati and 274±3.16 CFU/mL in Yagoua. There was about 10±0.50 CFU/mL Vibrio in Lagdo and 342.27±5.53 CFU/mL in Maga. Staphylococcus concentration was between 1.4±0.55×103 CFU/mL in Tibati and 4.44±0.9×104 in Maga. Clostridia were comprised between 0.33±0.00 in Tibati and 226.66±4.29 CFU/mL in Maga while Pseudomonas concentration was comprise between 16.26±0.70 in Tibati and 326.66±6.00 CFU/mL in Lagdo. Faecal Streptococcus varied between 0.33±0.00 in Tibati and 238.66±8.15 CFU/mL in Yagoua. The total mesophile aerobic flora was significantly high (P<0,005) in Lagdo while Clostridium, faecal streptococcus, and Streptococcus concentration were significantly high in Maga, Yagoua and Lagdo. Lake's sediments in Maga were the most infected. The different analysis revealed that the fisheries were relatively polluted. Some of the bacteria counted like Pseudomonas and Vibrio might be pathogenic for fishes. (Résumé d'auteur)

According to the Programme of systematic examination of surface water quality of the Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia the examinations of Medjuvrsje water reservoir have been carried out during October 2002 and August 2003. The examinations have been carried out at the dam, in central part and at the entrance of the water reservoir, on three depths. This paper shows the results on phytoplankton composition, chemicophysical properties and the trophic status of water reservoir. The qualitative analysis of the phytoplankton shows the presence of 96 taxa from six divisions of algae. Following the standard of Swedish Agency for Environmental Protection, the high concentrations of primary nutrients belong to the fifth class, by the categorization. According to OECD classification trophic status of water reservoir may be characterized as eutrophic and hypereutrophic.