The nature of epiphreatic flow remains an important research challenge in karst hydrology. This study focuses on the flood propagation along the epiphreatic system of Reka–Timavo system (Kras/Carso Plateau, Slovenia/Italy). It is based on long-term monitoring of basic physical parameters (pressure/level, temperature, specific electric conductivity) of ground water in six active caves belonging to the flow system. The system vigorously responds to flood events, with stage rising more than 100 m in some of the caves. Besides presenting the response of the system to flood events of different scales, the work focuses on the interpretation of recorded hydrographs in view of the known distribution and size of conduits and basic hydraulic relations. Furthermore, the hydrographs were used to infer the unknown geometry between the observation points. This way, the main flow restrictors, overflow passages and large epiphreatic storages were identified. The assumptions were tested with a hydraulic model, where the inversion procedure was used for an additional parameter optimisation. Time series of temperature and specific electric conductivity were used to assess the apparent velocities of flow between consecutive points.
COBISS.SI-ID: 42954797
“Karstology in the Classical Karst” in the Book Series “Advances in Karst Science” presents a selected karst area from different perspectives, supported by interdisciplinary methods, including monitoring and data analysis from geographical, geological, geomorphological, speleological, hydrogeological, biological and microbiological viewpoints. Over the past few decades, karst has been exposed to many improper management practices. Books like this one also provide a critical message for policy and decision makers when making decisions about development in karst regions, concerning water supply, nature conservation, planning and construction of traf?c routes and land use management. The book also serve as a textbook for selected courses at the Doctoral study program Karstology led and carried out by the Karst Research Institute ZRC SAZU in the framework of the UNESCO Chair on Karst Education and coordinated by the University of Nova Gorica. More chapters are dedicated to Škocjan Caves (hydrology, impact of tourism, microbiology).
COBISS.SI-ID: 17912067
Field work for this article was performed more years ago, but synthesis of the results was done in the frame of this project. This is new and unique approach for understanding burdening of show caves with the help of airborne bacteria, which can be an important indicator of impact of humans on cave environment. The research is especially actual in the period of covid-19 pandemic, because it shows impact of micro biota on fragile cave environment. The research is directly related to Škocjan Caves.
COBISS.SI-ID: 41852973
Paper discusses unique characteristics of the Škocjan Caves and karst surrounding with special consideration on natural phenomena recognized by UNESCO as globally outstanding. Besides UNESCO’s recognition of natural phenomena, the area is rich also with cultural heritage dated back to several thousands of years and inhabited nowadays. Present-day rural land use and architecture complement natural characteristics contribute to aesthetic value of the well-conserved area. The paper addresses main problems that threaten sustainable management of the area, namely pollution by the sinking Reka River and tourism. Despite cessation of strong organic pollution of the Reka River in 1990s and some precursory mitigation afterward, threat of pollution by active and past activities still exist. To prevent negative impacts the tourism management plan is prepared regularly and implemented by the park’s manager. The latter invests income from tourism and other funds into infrastructure that minimizes impact on the cave and its surroundings. All important climatic, biologic and geomorphic parameters are monitored, and results shared within the park’s expert council and at occasional international conferences. Continuous research and adoption of regular monitoring are important to predict future trends and to preserve cave in the frame of sustainable cave management. All researches presented in this paper are results of this projekt.
COBISS.SI-ID: 56516099
In the Postojna Cave (Črna jama and Pisani rov) and in Škocjan Caves (Tiha jama) in two periods – summer and winter – continuous seven-days long measurements of quantity of PM10 in the air in 5 min intervals was performed. At the same time air temperature and carbon dioxide concenterations were measured too. In winter period of 2017 in the southern part of Pisani rov, especially during night, we noticed strongly enlarged concentrations of PM10 of up to 60 µg/m3, which showed to be of anthropogenic origin. Summer period of 2017 at Pisani rov showed lower concentrations of particulate matter (up to 10,9 µg/m3). At Tiha jama in Škocjan Caves the PM10 concentration was low. Highest values of ( 4 µg/m3 are connected with tourist visits. In the summer of 2018 at Tiha jama the highest concentrations of PM10 were up to 25 µg/m3. Also those values are related to daily tourist visits. This was additionally confirmed with carbon dioxide concentrations (3.300 ppm), which can be five-times higher as winter concentrations due to higher number of visitors and natural conditions.
COBISS.SI-ID: 44240941