The aim of this paper is the investigation of natural materials that could be effectively used as a sorbent in the process of removing heavy metals from water. Interests are focused on the group to organic sorbents: natural wool fibres. The sorption experiments were conducted with lead, cadmium and zinc dissolved in distilled water, and then used as an example of heavy metal contaminated water and river water. Studies were performed in group sorption system. Possible use of natural fiber wool to remove heavy metals from water was determined by measurement of lead, cadmium and zinc before and after the sorption process. Analytical methods used for the determination of lead, cadmium and zinc in water by potentiometric stripping analysis. It was concluded that the sorption process mainly affect sorbent mass.

The results of microbiological analyses of raw water of two water supplies of city of Novi Sad (Ratno Ostrvo and Petrovaradinska Ada) are presented. The sampling was performed monthly during 2008 and 2009. The following parameters were monitored: aerobic mesophilic bacteria count at 37 deg C, organotroph count (water categorization according to Kohl), facultative oligotrophs, lipolitic and hydrocarbon-oxidizing bacteria count. The count of organotrophic bacteria was determined using low nutritive R2A medium. In addition, water was classified according to enzymatic activity of water, expressed as index of phosphatase activity (IFA).

Novi Sad is one of the major consumers of water in the Republic of Serbia. This is why the presence of safe and abundant sources of raw dringing water has been of utmost importance for this city which is expanding urbanistically and demografically. This paper presents major data related, above all, to the capacity of the present water sources in Novi Sad, as well as the results of the analyses considering the possibilities for the expansion of source capacity. Furthermore, the text considers the problem of numerous pollutants which have been polluting water sources and offers possible measures for their efficient protection.

The possibility of applying the process solidification/stabilization for treatment of arsenic containing sludge, obtained after coagulation and flocculation treatment in the preparation of raw drinking water, using lime, cement and lime and cement in the mixture as stabilization agents was examined. Test results showed a high content of arsenic in the initial sample of sludge, above the allowable 41 mg As/kg by the USEPA prescribed for disposal of waste sludge. Performance of S/S process was investigated by two leaching tests, PCLP and DIN 38414-S4 test, which showed the highest efficiency of lime and cement mixture in the removal of arsenic by this procedure.

Arsenic is inorganic spread out in nature. Toxicity of arsenic is different, depending on its form. However, current international and Serbian legislation in drinking water regulate maximum allowed concentration of 0.010 mg/l (of total arsenic), regardless of its form. Concentration of total arsenic in water of springs of mountain Avala (Serbia) is higher than 0.010 mg/l. This paper present determination of inorganic arsenic in drinking water of spring Sakinac (Avala), also determination which form is more represented, relation of As(III) and As(V) and implementation of legislation. We used stripping voltametry method and gain value of total arsenic-62.87 microgram/l, in which 3.97 microgram/l is As(III) and residue of 58.90 microgram/l is As(V). It is obvious that value of 62.87 microgram/l is higher than MAL, but the most abundant arsenic form is less toxic, so the question is whether the water from spring Sakinac can or cannot be used.

Groundwater from the middle Banat region (Serbia) which is used as a drinking water supply for Zrenjanin town contains a high amount of natural organic matter and a high content of arsenic. In this study a pilot-scale system was used to investigate the influence of different ozone doses (0.4-0.9 mg O3/mg DOC) during a pre-ozonation process on NOM removal by coagulation. Ferric chloride coagulant was chosen at a dose of 100 g/cubic meter, as a traditional coagulant which can also help in arsenic removal. The obtained results indicate that an ozone dose of 0.4 mg O3/mg DOC has the best influence on structural changes of NOM. The coagulation process with ferric chloride as coagulant had a significant influence on the arsenic content of the water, with the measured values in the water after coagulation in all three investigated treatment trains being below 10 microgram/l, which is the standard MCL in Serbian legislation.

Water bodies like rivers and lakes are directly affected by the waste water in sewerage systems. Sewage systems provide waste collection and convey wastewater from the population in sanitary safely way and away from material property. DPSIR analytical framework allows the analysis of interactions between sewerage systems and water bodies. Sewer systems describe the different standards that are elements of their functioning including plants and their maintenance, hydrological, hydraulic and other influences. This paper gives analytical framework of Driver, Pressure, State, Impact, Response (DPSIR) in relation to the functioning of the elements considered sewage systems which are described in the Serbian (European) standard - SRPS EN 752 - 2:2007.

In Laboratory for examination of waste waters in Belgrade sewerage system many analysis are being done to indicate the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of waste waters. Biochemical analyses which are being done include two parameters: biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and newly introduced parameter index of phosphate activity (IFA). Determination of IFA is relatively fast biochemical method which can, within few hours, give information of present organic pollution and its results could be applied for categorization of waters. Analyses were conducted during 2008 and according to the results waste waters mainly belong to the 5th category of water, more, the examined waste waters were out of all water describing categories.

The analysis of the frequencies of chromosome breaks and gaps on the pike - Esox lucius L. individuals from different locations collected in two consecutive years, were showed the highest values that were above the level of spontaneous (under the level of 3%) changes. Frequences of changes in fish Esox lucius L. were higher than the level of the presumed critical zone (3.0-3.5%) at locality of Danube by Visnjica and within the zone by Grocka. In consecutice years in river Tamis by Pancevo, both obtained values of chromosomal changes in this fish also were above the critical zone. Physicochemical water analyses were shown high level of organic contamination and concentration of phenols above MDK values for the 1st, 2nd water categories which argued obtained cytogenetic results. The localities obviously has a risk of being permanent or periodical contaminated with genotoxic agents.

The stable isotope content of hydrogen (2H/1H), carbon (13C/12C), nitrogen (15N/14N), and oxygen (18O/16O) in surface water (the Sava river and channels) and groundwater (Ranney wells) were determined in Belgrade (Serbia) during July 2008. Detailed evaporation calculation has estimated that fraction of water loss to be between 10 and 20% in the channels using the local meteoric water line and the local evaporation line. Carbon-13 content in dissolved inorganic carbon is distinguished between surface water and groundwater indicating different evolution pathways of carbon. Based on carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition and C/N ratios, sources of inorganic carbon and of organic matter in analyzed waters are discussed.