Possibilities of application of transmembrane enzymes as a biological component of a biosensor for water quality control and detection of toxical substances were performed. Synaptic plasma membranes (SPMs) were adsorbed on nitrocellulose filters. The adsorption of SPMs was followed by determination of the transmembrane enzyme Na,K-ATPase. The optimal conditions for SPM adsorption on nitrocellulose filters were determined: 25 microgram per nitrocellulose filter disc during 1 hour of incubation, on - 20 deg C. The ATPase activity of adsorbed SPM showed, that almost 30% of enzymic activity was detected on nitrocellulose filters in mentioned conditions. This results showed that adsorption of SPM on solid support enhancing enzymatic stability and enable its industrial and analytical application.

Sawdusts of hardwood - oak and black locust, modified with formaldehyde and/or alkali solution, were used as adsorbents zinc ions from model water. The influence of concentration of alkali solution for modification, on zinc ions adsorption efficiency were investigated. Batch adsorption tests were conducted on ambient temperature. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm equations were determinated for some adsorbents investigated. Good improvement of adsorption characteristics is achieved by modification of sawdust with alkali. Modification of sawdusts only with formaldehyde results with good prevention of leaching of organic substances as well as poor increase of adsorption efficiency.

Over the last several years, the investigations of the natural zeolites application in the sorption processes have been intensified. Purification of waste waters in order to remove lead, cadmium, copper and other heavy metals, is one significant example of such application. In this paper, the investigations results on characteristics of the natural and chemically activated zeolites from the region of Vranje (Serbia, Yugoslavia), are presented. The experiments with zeolites were performed after determination of their physico-chemical characteristics. Adsorptive characteristics were investigated under laboratory conditions, in a liquid medium, depending on granulation and concentration of the heavy metals. As the obtained results show, these natural materials can be used to remove heavy metals from the waste waters.

In this study, the possibility of application of agricultural lignocellulosic waste materials as adsorbents of different heavy metals ions from water was investigated. As adsorbents, wastes of widely cultivated plant cultures in our country were used. They were wheat straw, cornstalk, corn cob and soybean straw. These materials were showed as good adsorbents in most cases. But, leaching of organic matters from them during adsorption was observed. It was unfavourable. Because of that, adsorbents washed and dried. After that leaching of organic matters was significantly decreased, but also adsorption efficiencies slightly decreased, too.