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.

The paper provides experimental results of testing the content of heavy metals, and other harmful and dangerous matters of the Sava river sludge (Serbia, Yugoslavia). The testing carried out by the Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia (Yugoslavia), has been in compliance with the program of testing the Sava river water and sludge quality along the river flow. The establishing of sludge pollution range is not based upon values of maximum allowable concentrations. The most complex is the issue of heavy metals contents, since these also represent the natural contents of soil and minerals. However, considering the process of migration and distribution of heavy metals, and other harmful and dangerous matters discharged from utilities, industrial and power supply facilities, provides the basis for estimating the environmental pollution as well.

Spectrophotometric method for determination of inorganic phosphate liberated in hydrolysis of ATP catalyzed by ATPase was modified in order to obtain faster procedure, which could also be used in none laboratory conditions. The modification has some advantages compared to the most used Pennial method: a) the reagents are stable for several months; b) the 45 min procedure of phosphomolibdate extraction by isobutanole-benzene is ommited, and the method is not dangerous for the analyst; c) color develops after 20 min. The method was tested on the determination of inorganic phosphate in the presence of cadmium nitrate as inhibitor of ATPase activity. The results were compared to the results obtained by Pennial method. The results obtained have shown some good agreements.