One-year monitoring program was organized with the aim to assess the quality of sediment and water in some protected areas in Vojvodina regarding metal content (Cr, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Hg) in them. Water was class 1/2 according to national requirements. Canadian probable effect guideline value for sediment quality is occasionally or constantly exceeded for all metals. Obtained results gained preliminary overview of water endangerment in watercourses.

In the frame of the project Revitalization of the Big DTD Canal and preparation for introducing modern wastewater treatment plants for the towns and industry in the Backa region, an all-inclusive program has been prepared for monitoring quality and quantity of water in the Big Canal and pertaining lateral canals. The paper presents results obtained for contents of nutrients (N and P) that indicate a poor quality of the Canal water, especially in the segment from the triangle to the hydrological node Vrbas. In many cases, measured concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus were several times higher than maximal tolerable levels, so that it is necessary to undertake urgent measures with the aim of preventing further degradation of the Canal water, and eventually its revitalization.

During 2004 the referent monitoring of chemical quality of surface water and sediments in some protected areas in Vojvodina was conducted as a supplement to the regular monitoring program in Vojvodina. The aim of the study was to establish the chemical quality of surface water and sediments. It is concluded that the water quality satisfies the criteria of class 1/2 according to national legislation. With regard to contamination of sediments with organic micropollutants the sediment of Lake Ludos may be considered as potentially problematic because the Canadian empiric effect guideline value as well as sediment quality reference values according to Dutch legislation were exceeded for DDT and its derivatives.