Regular monitoring of water quality of the Danube river in the backwater zone includes analysis of the sediment. It is well known that sediment is a sink place for the non degradable compounds and it reveales the long term water quality status in the reservoir. This paper presents the general results on the Iron Gate reservoir siltation. as well as some data regarding pollution level, based on investigations carried in the period of 2001-2002. The investigations included organic load of the sediment, heavy metals and organic pollutants content. The degree of pollution is evaluated on the basis of various criteria, also compared to results of previous case studies.

Importance of sediments quantity and quality problems addressing to land reclamation canal network in Vojvodina (Serbia, Serbia&Montenegro) are pointed out in this paper. Necessity for sediments monitoring and criteria definition for environmental discharge are drown. Special attention is paid to agricultural land as recipient of these sediments.

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.

One-year monitoring program was organized with the aim to assess the quality of sediment and water in some protected areas in Vojvodina regarding metal content (Cr, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Hg) in them. Water was class 1/2 according to national requirements. Canadian probable effect guideline value for sediment quality is occasionally or constantly exceeded for all metals. Obtained results gained preliminary overview of water endangerment in watercourses.

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.

Pilot screening of sediment quality on selected stretches of HS DTD and transboundary water bodies in Vojvodina Province (Serbia and Montenegro) was set as an objective of this paper. The results of sediment toxicity tests indicated the necessity for remedial activities of the following stretches: DTD Vrbas - Bezdan - sampling site Vrbas - Canal Banatska Palanka - Novi Becej - sampling site Kajtasovo and Begej - sampling sites Klek and Stajicevo.

One-year monitoring program was organized with the aim to assess the quality of sediment and water in these Vojvodina watercourses: the Begej, the Sava, the Botos, the Tisza, the Tamis, the Danube and the Danube-Tisza-Danube (DTD) Canal regarding metal content (Cr, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Hg) in them. Water was the 1st/2nd class by MPL of national requirements, except occasionally for the copper concentration on some locations. The highest concentrations of zinc, cadmium, chromium, copper and mercury were detected in the Begej sediment. Maximum nickel concentration was in the Sava sediment, and for lead in the Danube sediment.

Dutch classification system for sediment pollution was applied at the Begej canal in Serbia (Serbia and Montenegro). The method used calculates the class of the sediment on the basis of the sediment composition, organic matter fraction and mineral clay fraction as well as data on ecological risks. Results obtained showed that sediment is heavily polluted and urgent remediation is necessary. The contamination consists of heavy metals, especially cadmium, copper and chromium (class 4). Regarding organic micropollutants some high levels of PCB's and organochlorine pesticides like DDT/DDD/DDE were found (class 3).