In this paper given are basic characteristics and projected functions of the DTD (Danube-Tisza-Danube) Hydrosystem (Yugoslavia), then types, origin and some characteristics of muds - sediments in the hydrosystem channels. It is estimated that in hydrosystem channels gets in averagely about 1.28x10**6 tons of deposits annually, and of that amount in channels are settled about 0.64 x 10**6 cubic meter annually. In 1980-1996 period, it is mudded from channels of the main channel network averagely about 0.19 x 10**6 cubic meter/year, and in 1991-1996 period, usually only about 0.056 x 10**6 cubic meter/year, i.e. about 10 of average amounts which are deposited during the year. Also explained are numerous undesirable influences of muds - sediments on water quality in channels, as well as functions of the DTD (Danube-Tisza-Danube) Hydrosystem in general. At the end, measures for gradually improving conditions that are influenced by muds - sediments are, proposed.

During the period 1990-1997, the content of 11 trace metals (Fe, Cr, Co, Al, Mn, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Sr) was studied in muscle and other organs of fish from DTD (Danube-Tisza-Danube) channel system (Yugoslavia). According to obtained and analysed data, the trace metal bioaccumulation can possibly act as enviromental indicator in biomonitoring. DTD (Danube-Tisza-Danube) Channel System can, therefore, be classified as the 3rd class, concerning analysed trace metal content.

On the basis of the enzymatic (phosphatase) activity and microbiological analysis as well, the influence of the oil refinery "Vital" - Vrbas (Serbia, Yugoslavia) wastewater to the recipient DTD (Danube-Tisza-Danube) canal water from the microbiological point of view was determined. In addition the efficiency of the factory's waste water purification plant was estimated. The obtained results of the complex microbiological-enzymological analyses indicated a good water quality at the point where the refinery's water supplies plant is situated (site 1). Very low water quality was determined downstream (site 4) and upstream (site 2) from the inflow of the refinery's wastewater's inflow. The later results might indicated the influence of an unknown pollutant in the region. However, the obtained O/H index value suggests that the self-purification ability of the canal waters is still preserved.

In the period of 1993-1996 water quality of the Bajski canal (Serbia, Yugoslavia) was followed using certain chemical and biological parameters. Oxygen control ranged from its deficiency to its supersaturation recorded in spring and early summer which moved down in summer and early autumn. A smaller amount of suspended particles points to a sedimentation process provoked also in the canal bed, clearing the way for the development of macrophytes. A diverse zooplankton showed typical seasonal variations. A total of 73 species was recorded including 13 Protozoa (17.8%), 44 Rotatoria (60.3%), 10 Cladocera (13.7%), and 6 Copepoda (8.2%). In summary, the process of water quality deterioration is less evident in this section of the DTD (Danube-Tisza-Danube) hydrosystem (Serbia, Yugoslavia).

In the period from May to August in 1996, the samples for hydro-biological and inchthyological from the following localities were collected: the Klaicka river, the Radevacka river, the Sumanka river and the Lipovacka river (Serbia, Yugoslavia). The water quality was determined n the basis of bioindicator values and the abundance of particular species of phytoplankton, zooplankton, bottom fauna and fish community. According to the portion of plankton organisms, the saprobic index for the Klaicka river was between 2.01 and 2.57, for the Radevacka river it was between 2.83 and 2.93, for the Sumanka river between 2.59-2.78 and for the Lipovacka river this index had a value between 2.72 and 2.83. Among the botton fauna, 10 zoobenthic groups were determined. The highest frequency and abundance was registered in the groups of Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera, and the water quality is between oligo- o-beta-mesosaprobic (the Lipovacka river), -beta-mesosaprobic (the Klaicka river), o-beta to alfa-mesosaprobic (the Radevacka river) and beta to alfa-mesosaprobic (the Sumanka river). The ichthyofauna of the Klaicka and Sumanka rivers include the species like southern barbel, chub and spirlin. Basing on the fact, the water quality was determined as beta-mesosaprobic (1.65). The majority of results point to the satisfactory biological quality of water in this hydroecosystem, which is, therefore, considered to be one of the potential sources of water supply.

During the period 1977-1996, Oligochaeta have been studied as indicator of water quality in the Bajski canal, Serbia (Yugoslavia). The locality was characterized by the 13 species from nine genera and two families - Naididae and Tubificidae. Species in genera Limnodrilus, Potamothrix and Branchiura were dominant, defining the environment as natural eutrophic.

A complex ichthyological analysis of the individual sections of the DTD (Danube-Tisza-Danube)-Backa canal system (Serbia, Yugoslavia) performed during 1996 vegetation period 23 fish species from 7 families. On the basis of the occurrence and abundance of indicators and limnosaprobic parameter, water quality of the analyzed canal sections was found to be beta-mesosaprobic index ranging from 2.15 to 2.21. The obtained results show that water quality of this DTD (Danube-Tisza-Danube) canal sections (Bajski Kanal, Odzaci-Sombor, Vrbas-Bezdan and Novi Sad-Savino Selo canals) corresponds to its purpose. The fish community representing an important factor of a whole aquatic biocenose, in addition to its undoubtedly indicator values also representing an active factor in the process of selfpurification and quality preservation of whole hydrosystem.

As a result of this study the overload by pollutants and low quality of canal water in the zone downstream of Vrbas and Srbobran towns (Serbia, Yugoslavia) has been recorded. Regarding to started work on demudification of canal bottom in the industrial zone of Vrbas town, in the course of 2000 the additional investigations of mud profile downstrean of wastewater discharge into the canal have been done. In the investigated mud samples the extremely high number of organotrophic bacteria was found (up to 1.7 x 10**10 cfu/ml), but also high number of conditionally pathogenic bacteria (opportunistic bacteria) was recorded. Also, the high number of fecal (thermo-tolerant) coliform bacteria (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella - Enterobacter - Citrobacter group of bacteria), as well as the presence of colifags was found. Such findings indicate possible bad consequences to the health of humans contacting this mud, as well as to the ground water quality, indirectly, via drainage water.