This work shows the effects of opening the Itebej sluice gate on the metals content of the water and sediment of the Begej canal. A deterioration in water quality resulted, in particular on the first day after opening of the sluice gate, when high concentrations of Zn, Cr, Cu and Pb were detected. The metals content of the surface sediments across the canal at Klek had significantly higher concentrations of Pb, Cr, Zn, Cu and Hg five days after the opening, whereas there were no obvious changes at Itebej. From the metals content of the suspended sediment it can be concluded that the increase in metals contents occurred one day after opening the sluice gate.

This paper presents the concentration of Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu and Ni in the surface sediment samples, determined by EDPXRF. Also, a horizontal distribution of these metals is given for seven investigated sites in the coastal sea of Montenegro, from the entrace to the Bokakotorska Bay to the mouth of the river Bojana. A trend of increase in the concentration of metals with the distance from the coast is noticed in the studied area. The possible causes of this distribution should be sought in the direction of movement of sea currents in the Adriatic Sea as well as the fate of suspended material after entering the river Bojana.

The results of sediment quality monitoring gathered during the period 2002-2008 were processed and shown in the current work to assess the overall sediment quality in Vojvodina watercourses regarding heavy metals content. Since Serbia does not have legislation for sediment quality, Canadian and Dutch sediment criteria were used for evaluation of sediment quality. The elevated concentrations of heavy metals in Vojvodina watercourses are a consequence of the discharge of untreated or partially treated industrial and municipal wastewaters, but also of the corosion of metal structures and constructions (Cu, Zn) as well as the influence of difussion sources, principally agriculture (Cd, Cr, Hg) and transport (Pb).