Low flows are a good measure of the waste water recipient self-purification capability. The regional statistical analysis is an objective way of assessment of the required low flows. This paper presents the principles and key phases of the regional statistical analysis. The advantages of this method are a reduction of the outliers influence and the assessment of low flows on ungauged streams and stream profiles. The method is illustrated with the results obtained by the required low flows regional statistical analysis in Serbia (Yugoslavia) with 59 hydrological gauge stations in the scope, which data has the same length of 39 years, from the year 1956 to 1994.

During hydrobiological investigations of the river Dulenska (Serbia, Yugoslavia) in June 1996, algological samples were taken at this river. In the algae community are found 34 taxa from two divisio: Bacillariophyta (28) and Chlorophyta (6). While qualitative composition of the algae colony was relativelly uniformed quantitative one was changeable along the course of the Dulenska river. By saprobiological analysis, it was found that the quality of water was changing along the course of the river. At the upper and middle course of river the water belonging to the second class. At lower course of the river (below Rekovac) water quality was getfing worse and it belonging to the third class.

Drought characteristics (minimum flows, drought duration and volume deficit) of the Moraca river near Podgorica, Montenegro (Yugoslavia) are analyzed using the peaks over threshold method based on renewal processes. It is also shown that volume deficit and drought duration are highly correlated.

The paper provides experimental results of testing the content of heavy metals, and other harmful and dangerous matters of the Sava river sludge (Serbia, Yugoslavia). The testing carried out by the Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia (Yugoslavia), has been in compliance with the program of testing the Sava river water and sludge quality along the river flow. The establishing of sludge pollution range is not based upon values of maximum allowable concentrations. The most complex is the issue of heavy metals contents, since these also represent the natural contents of soil and minerals. However, considering the process of migration and distribution of heavy metals, and other harmful and dangerous matters discharged from utilities, industrial and power supply facilities, provides the basis for estimating the environmental pollution as well.

The investigations of the macrozoobenthos of the Crvena Reka river (Serbia, Yugoslavia), left tributary to the Nisava river, were performed during July in 1999. Samples were collected from 15 localities, from the spring of the Crvena Reka river (originating from Toponicka and Vetska rivers) to the lower course, the aim being to investigate the diversity of macrozoobenthos of these running waters which had not been investigated. The community of macroinvertebrates of the Crvena Reka river and the streams, which make it, consists of 54 determined taxa (at species and genus level) from 16 animal groups. Larvae of Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera have the greatest diversity, each having ten determined taxa. The middle course of the Topnicka river (locality T4) is characterized by the greatest diversity (25 taxa), while the springs (due to constant ecological parameters) have poor diversity with two and one determined taxa in locality V1 and V2, respectively. The water quality of the investigated river and streams, which make it, on the basis of the results of saprobiological analysis, is of beta-mezosaprobic quality, i.e. second class of quality in most localities.

The paper provides a report on the quality of water of the Kolubara river and its tributaries, the Ljig and the Pestan, for the period 1992-1996, on the basis of results obtained in the course of regular examinations carried out by the Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia (Yugoslavia). The examination of the waters of the Kolubara river region is significant in view of the vinicity of developed industry, since the wastewater of such an industry represents a potential pollutant of the adjacent rivers. The paper also provides a separate review of the heavy metals contents of the examined rivers. The obtained results indicate to periodical deviations of the water from the required quality, that represents, without any doubt, the pollution of anthropogenic origin.

During one-year examination of the Vlasina river and its main tributaries, the Luznica and Gradska rivers, Serbia (Yugoslavia), in May 1996, the samples were taken for biological and chemical analysis of the watercourse in the spring aspect. Sampling was performed on the five localities of the Vlasina river, and two tribute localities near the mouth thus including all critical points where the changes of physico-chemical water parameters and qualitative/quantitative biocenoses compositions due to the increasing anthropogenic influence could occur. Data on phytoplankton, zooplankton, periphyton and benthos were analysed together with the physico-chemical water parameters in order to determine communities composition and structure and bioindicator species. Based on these results the status of aquatic environment i.e. water quality, was evaluated.

In this paper we have pointed out the hydrogeological condition in the catchment area of the Jablanica river in the south Serbia (Yugoslavia). The two units are separately presented here. The first one is mountainous part of the catchment area upstream of the gaging station of Lebane and the second one is the part of the terrain in the plain down stream to the river mounth near Pecenjevac. The hydrogeological characteristics of the two mentioned regions are given to explain the reasons of existing the constant flow of the Jablanica to Lebane and its disappearing course in the period of recession in the plain downstream. The quality of water in the Jablanica river at Lebane is good. Down stream of this gaging station the waste water collector flows into the river. In the part of recession period the ratio between them is unfavourable. We have also discussed the quality of water at the gaging station of Pecenjevac and pointed out the function of sandy-gravel deposits in the process of natural purification of the Jablanica flow.

The paper presents results of the hydroecological investigations of the Vlasina river basin, Serbia (Yugoslavia). The researches were performed in May and September 1996, as a part an annual investigation cycle. Samples were collected from five localities on the Vlasina river, and on two spots on its main tributaries - the Gradska river and Luznica, just before entering into the Vlasina. Qualitative and quantitative data on composition of phyto- and zooplankton, periphytic and benthic communities together with data obtained from physico-chemical water examinations were analysed to assess water quality of examined water courses. The results of performed monitoring were compared with informations on the sources of pollution, as well as with the data on hydrology, geomorphology, demographic variations, and recent development of tourism and industry in the Region in order to assess environmental quality of aquatic ecosystem and to suggest the conservation strategy.

In this paper there were given research results obtained during many years of investigation of hydrophytes of the Tisza river, Serbia (Yugoslavia), and their bioindicating values. The plant world of the Tisza river is characterized by floristical diversity, with three characteristics band: band of submerged, band of floating and band of emerged hydrophytes. Among submerged plants these are distinguished by abundance, covering values and occurrence degree: Ceratophyllum demersum, Elodea canadaensis, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton perfoliatus and Potamogeton pectinatus. In the floating band species of the fam. Lemnaceae: Lemna minor, Lemna gibba, Spirodela polyrrhiza and Potamogeton fluitans are most frequent. In the closest coastal band, these species are most frequent: Typha angustifolia, Typha latifolia, Phragmites communis, Sagittaria sagittifolia and Typhoides arundinacea. On the basis of determined floristical composition and bioindicating values there can be noticed the organic pollution increasing trend.