In order to determine the stable isotope content of hydrogen (2H/1H) and oxygen (18O/16O) from surface water and the Zavoj Lake, a sampling campaign was carried out in November 2011. Vertical profiles of water samples were collected in the sections close to the dam to check whether there was any detectable influence from the inflowing Visočica River and wheter there was a vertical isotopic stratification of the lake water. Temperature gradient of up to 5.5 deg C between surface and about 60 m depth is observed. Dominant process of mixing the inflowing Visočica River and water leaking from diversion tunnel appear close to the dam.

The paper presents the results of different methods of sequential extraction of metal in sediment of the Great Backa canal in order to obtain data on the total, available and potentially available contents of heavy metals as well as risk assessment in aquatic systems. Based on the results of sequential extraction of metals was found that sediment does not have the risk to the environment in terms of Cr, Cu and Pb concentration while the contents of Ni, Zn and Cd sediment indicates a moderate risk. Results of sequantial extraction of metals indicate that the risk to the aquatic ecosystems decreases in risk assessment based on the pseudo total metal content in the sediment. Thus the results suggest that not all detected metals are bioavailable and that not only on the basis of total metal content of the actual risk may be overestimated.

The aim of this study was to assess the water quality of the Gradac, near the town of Valjevo, on an analysis of DNA damage in different tissues of trout (Salmo trutta L. 1758) and barbel (Barbus meridionalis R. 1827). For the detection of genotoxic potential of alkaline comet assay were used three types of tissue, blood liver and gills. Among the parameters available the Olive tail moment was chosen as the most reliable to estimate the damage to DNA molecules. In all tested tissues was detected damage in DNA molecule, where the gills showed the highest sensitivity.

Constant and highly productive agricultural productivity in the last decades has a tightly connected to irrigation. It is necessary to monitor the irrigation water quality in order to prevent or mitigate negative consequences on yield, soil and irrigation equipment. Besides the major waterways, the detailed canal network has great potential as a water resource. Peculiarities of this kind of water resources require monitoring of water suitability. During a three-year period of research, water was sampled on some localities in Backa and Banat (Serbia). The results of the research indicate that the water quality does not meet the demands proposed by the classifications. This proves the fact that during the irrigation period, it is necessary to monitor the irrigation water quality.

Chemical composition of soil solution provides information on the availability of nutrients and potentially toxic substances to plant roots and mycorrhizas. It is therefore used to monitor impacts of air pollutants on soils. In this study we examined two soil solution parameters, base cations/aluminium ratio (Bc/Altot ratio) and inorganic nitrogen concentration (N), in samples collected at 300 intensive monitoring plots of the International Co-operative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests (ICP Forests) from the early 1990s to 2006 in order to detect possible critical limit exceedances (CLimE). CLimE for Bc/Altot ratio indicating negative effects for tree growth were only rarely detected. Quite the contrary was observed in CLimE for inorganic N concentrations where the safety limits were frequently exceeded in parts of Europe. Especially noteworthy is the number of the plots where leaching of N from forest soils occurred over the studied period.With ongoing high atmospheric N input into forest soils, we expect critical limits to be exceeded in the future as well.

Within the context of risk evaluation of chemical spillages into the marine environment, this paper reports on an offshore experiment to study the behaviour of styrene spilled into sea under natural conditions and discusses theoretical approaches. Floating structures were used to enclose the spillage and the gaseous cloud formation, and dissolution processes were in situ monitored. The identification of spill risks for man and marine environment through GESAMP’s hazard profile is described for styrene: Styrene is rated as a chemical with a significant health hazard that will float but also evaporate. However, monitoring of the water column in the experiments showed that the concentration of styrene in water during the first hour represents 50% of the product spilled. For the potentially exposed public, the GESAMP hazard rating recommends the closure of beaches and evacuation. The risk assessment developed from experimental data confirms this safety advice.

"The first step in designing a surface water sampling program is identifying one or more problems or questions that require information on water quality. Common water quality problems include nutrient enrichment (from a variety of causes), effects of atmospheric deposition (acidification, eutrophication, toxicity), and effects of major disturbances such as fire or pest infestations. Once the problems or questions have been clearly defined, a sampling program can be designed that addresses where to sample, what to measure, and when and how to conduct the sampling. The selection of measurements should be tailored to specific study objectives and to the study design, which guides the specifics of field, laboratory, and data analysis protocols."

To obtain insight into the natural and/or human-induced changes in the trophic state of the distal portion of the Po River discharge plume over the last two centuries, high temporal resolution dinoflagellate cyst records were established at three sites. Cyst production rates appear to reflect the natural variability in the river's discharge, whereas cyst associations reflect the trophic state of the upper waters, which in turn can be related to agricultural development. The increased abundances of Lingulodinium machaerophorum and Stelladinium stellatum found as early as 1890 and 1920 correspond to the beginning of the industrial revolution in Italy and the first chemical production and dispersion of ammonia throughout Europe. After 1955, the increased abundances of these species and of Polykrikos schwartzii, Brigantedinium spp. and Pentapharsodinium dalei correspond to agriculturally induced alterations of the hypertrophic conditions. A slight improvement in water quality can be observed from 1987 onward.