The 1st South-Eastern European Interlaboratory Study: WATER ANALYSIS - 2003 was organized by International Scientific Committee on the basis of international European and regional experiences. The total of 38 laboratories took part in WATER-ANALYSIS 2003. Three laboratories were from Greece, two from the Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina), eight from Romania and all others from Serbia and Montenegro. Two samples were prepared from water of the river Danube and the task for participants was to determine trace elements: Al, As, Cd, Cu, Mn, Fe, Pb, and Zn. Results of determination of arsenic (As) and aluminium (Al) are presented in this paper.

Potentiometric stripping analysis (PSA) is highly sensitive electroanalytical method for determination of traces of heavy metals. In this paper detection limit and linearity of potentiometric stripping analysis for lead was investigated. Method was successfully used for determination of traces of lead ion (detection limit 5 microgram/cubic dm) in stream water of river Ibar, before and after joint of potential pollutant.

The aim of this study was to determine the content of heavy metals, cadmium and lead, in drinking water, spring and well water from rural part of south Serbia, as in water of river Jablanica and in the top water. The content of cadmium and lead, a very toxic metals, were studied simulataneously by potentiometric stripping analysis (PSA) in water samples using thin mercury film electrode, as a working electrode, by standard addition method in the presence of supporting electrolyte. The results of content of examined heavy metals obtained in examined water samples by PSA method, are compared with results obtained by using AAS and GF-AAS spectrometry.

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.