To determine the importance of Al-availability for soil micro-organisms 95 forest soils from Tyrol/Austria with comparable topography, vegetation, climatic conditions, soil type and with low soil pH (median = 3.9) were investigated for their physical (percentage of stable aggregates, water holding capacity), chemical (pH, electrical conductivity, contents of organic matter, concentrations of easily extractable aluminium, calcium, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus) and microbiological characteristics (microbial biomass and respiration, metabolic quotient, content of ATP, activities of protease and CM-cellulase, cfu-values of total and Al-tolerant bacteria and fungi). A highly significant negative correlation was detected between concentrations of KCl-extractable aluminium and soil pH. By the application of multivariate statistical methods, the effect of the concentration of KCl-extractable aluminium on abundance and activities of soil micro-organisms could be revealed. Al turned out to be of great importance for micro-organisms and often outmatched the significance of other well known soil properties like organic matter, pH or water holding capacity. However, due to very healthy trees at the sites under investigation no effect of Al or soil acidification on forest decline could be detected.

Water quality analyses were performed on littoral water samples, collected on Lake Ohrid in 2002 (January, February, June, July, August and September). Several microbiological parameters were compared. The number of Escherichia coli, the number of organotrophic bacteria and the phosphatase activity index were measured. Samples were collected along the shore of Lake Ohrid, i.e. at the village of Pestani, at Hotel Metropol, in Ohrid Bay and at the lake inflow of River Velgoska. The results of the study show that the different parameters are not compatible in terms of water quality characterization. The differences found are discussed below.

In this paper, results of seasonal investigations throughout 2002, important for evaluation of the eutrophication and bacterial pollution of the Montenegrin coastal sea were presented. It was established that the difference between warmer and colder periods of the year was highest in the part of the Montenegrin coastal sea exposed to the strongest impact of the open waters of the Southern Adriatic.

During 2001, water from river Cerava and from the littoral where the river flow into lake Ohrid, were examined. Bacteriological analysis included ecological and sanitary aspekt of water state. Heterotrophic, proteolytic, amylolytic and phosphomineralizing bacteria, most probable number of total coliforms (MPN) and presence of Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens were determined. The results of investigations shows organic and faecal pollution and permanent negative anthropogenic effects.

In the scope of complex physical-chemical and biological water examination of Bocac water reservoir, the river Vrbas and trbutaries Ugar and Crna Rijeka, examination of standard microbiological indexes of water quality (aerobic organotrophs at 22-26 deg C and 37 deg C, total colliforms and colliforms of fecal origin) was performed during 2002 (March-November). Number of examined microbiological parameters was mainly in the scope of the 2nd water category (beta-mesosaprobic water) with worse water quality in upstream part of the reservoir. Ugar tributary had the best water quality, while Crna Rijeka had the worst status with obvious anthropogenic influence.

Bacteriological examination have been carried out within the comprehensive hydrochemical and hydrobiological investigation of river Koselska during 2002. The aim of investigations is to confirm condition of bacteriological communities and water quality of river Koselska. The results of investigations shows pollution by organic matter. In order to prevent further eutrophication processes, certain measures of river water protection and conservation should be undertaken. Also, the regular monitoring of water quality should be established.