The paper outlines the significance of studying and analysing sediment deposition issues in drainage canals in Vojvodina, Serbia (Serbia and Montenegro). This problem needs to be properly addressed considering the total length of the canal network, that is, the total volume of sediment to be removed by dredging if the functional performance of the canal network is to be restored and maintained. Much of the effort needs to be focused to the polluted sediments with a severe risk for the environment. Sediment pollution is caused by the point and non-point sources of pollution. Taking one drainage canal as the example, essential chemical properties of the sediment and hazardous and toxic substances contents (heavy metals, PAHSs and PCBs) are being analysed and presented in the paper.

Wastewater from the Novi Sad Oil Refinery, Serbia (Serbia and Montenegro) had been previously discharged to the Danube river between the raw water wells. In order to protect water supply source, the collector discharge was displaced downstream, outside the raw water wells area. In 2004, the quality of Danube river water and sediment was monitored at the sites of the old and new collector discharge of the Oil Refinery wastewaters, as well as at two control (reference) sites. The paper presents chemical quality parameters of water and sediment, characterizing oil contamination. Significantly increased contents of oil contaminant were measured in the Danube river sediment at the old discharge site compared to other sampling points, which is a consequence of many-year accumulation, as well as in the Danube river water at the new discharge site, as a consequence of the present wastewater discharge.

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.

Organic matter of various composition is present in soils and sediments ranging from simple compounds to the very complex proteins, etc. Within the pollutant analysis in soils and sediments the total organic carbon (TOC) content is determined. In addition to this form carbon may be present as elemental or inorganic ones. TOS identification and quantitation methods may be qualitative or quantitative with prior sample preparation. It is recommended catalytic combustion of samples at high temperatures with Pt catalyst and IR detection of evolved CO2.