The study of the vadose zone has been based on continuous long-term measurements of precipitation and of several representative trickles in the vadose zone over consecutive hydrological years and it offers an explanation of the dynamics of the percolation and simultaneous transfer of contaminants and their impact on the dissolution of carbonate rock in the vadose zone. Emphasis is placed on a multi-parameter approach based on the simultaneous use of a number of different methods. The research contributs to the understanding of the role of the vadose zone in the karst aquifer.
COBISS.SI-ID: 252839680
We examined the characteristic formation of karren, one of the most frequent phenomena of karst surfaces, on laminated rock. Below the soil, karren is dissected into cones and ridges that develop flat tops when denudation occurs. Laminated rock disintegrates and dissolves rapidly due to climate and biocorrosion factors. That this type of surface formation is generally characteristic of karst is confirmed by the findings of our research on the laminated rock karren in Lagoa Santa (Brazil) as well as by our previous studies of the Lunan stone forests (China).
COBISS.SI-ID: 31325741
The study presents a descriptive case of a combined tracer test at the Kočevje municipal landfill site at Mozelj in southeastern Slovenia. The results confirm that wells and boreholes are unsuitable for monitoring the negative influence of landfills and dumpsites on underground waters and enabling the choice of the most suitable karst springs for exploitation. Establishing the characteristics of the transport of tracer through the system and of the discharge through karst springs is fundamental for implementing a suitable plan of sampling that must be adapted to hydrological conditions.
COBISS.SI-ID: 31724845
The paper presents a model of karstification due to mixing of regional groundwater flow and locally seeping water from the surface. Mixing of saturated waters with different chemical composition renews the solubility and increases permeability and hydraulic conductivity in the mixing zone. We demonstrate that such mechanism can produce high porosity in karst aquifers in geologically relevant time scales. The mechanism presented in the paper has general implication to all geochemical systems where local mixing can renew solution capacity of groundwater with respect to host rock.
COBISS.SI-ID: 31320365
Results of one year fauna sampling in drips and drip pools in six Slovenian caves are shown. Overall, the frequency of stygobionts, of epikarst specialists and of immature individuals was higher in drips compared with pools. This indicates that pools are not source populations. The results of this research suggest that epikarst per se needs to be the focus of conservation planning. Protection of epikarst habitats requires a shift of emphasis from protection of caves to protection of surface areas.
COBISS.SI-ID: 31919149