The comprehensive knowledge of karst surface, caves, waters and biodiversity were examined with special emphasis on planning for environmental management and land use in karst regions using examples of projects performed by the staff from the Karst Research Institute ZRC SAZU. Based on the knowledge of karst, karst phenomena, karst waters and karst biodiversity, karstological monitoring was developed throughout the construction of expressways and planning for railways on karst terrain. Newly revealed karst phenomena were properly preserved. Regular climatic and biological monitoring were developed and implemented, as well as karstology consultation with an emphasis on the impact of the use of caves as natural assets. To understand karst, its evolution dynamics and processes, models were developed with which the study of the risk posed by dam site construction in karst areas was possible. Karst aquifers and their protection were studied using tracer tests and diff erent methods of the transfer of contaminants through the vadose zone and underground fl ow connections. In assessing the vulnerability and contamination risk of groundwater, a comprehensive method was elaborated. Microorganisms and fauna of dripping water in caves were used as monitors of cave ecosystem health. By applying high-quality karstological research results from individual spheres of karstology and interdisciplinary studies, a foundation for sustainable planning of life in karst regions that will consider the natural and cultural characteristics and vulnerability of karst landscapes has been established.
COBISS.SI-ID: 40073261
Karst aquifers are generally largely impacted and vulnerable for surface interventions. Two pristine karst springs were monitored for a one-year hydrological cycle for geochemical characteristics, microbial biomass and amount of retrievable DNA: (i) a 120-m deep well in Upper Triassic dolomite in the Belca Valley (Idrija) provides a constant discharge of 10 liters of water per second which is used for human consumption, and (ii) one of the springs located in the Zadnjica Valley (Triglav National Park, Julian Alps) on the contact between Upper Triassic limestone and dolomite covered with maraine and used for water supply in the Trenta Valley. Geochemical analyses indicated stable physical conditions (temperature: Idrijska Bela – 9.2°C, Krajcarca – 5.5°C, pH: Idrijska Bela – 7.74, Krajcarca – 8.14) and comparable low level of chlorides, sulphates and o-phosphates for both springs, but significant difference in electric conductivity (Idrijska Bela – 329 μS/cm, Krajcarca –166 μS/cm), alkalinity (Idrijska Bela – 190 mg CaCO3/l, Krajcarca – 87 mg CaCO3/l) and concentration of nitrates (Idrijska Bela – 5.9 mg/l, Krajcarca – 1.6 mg/l). Both springs discharged comparable concentration of microbial cells (Idrijska Bela – 2.40×104 cells per ml, Krajcarca – 5.07×104 cells per ml), but Krajcarca spring expressed higher fluctuations. The particulate material of spring water carried the highest concentration of retrievable DNA in 0.1 μm fraction (Idrijska Bela – 57.6%, Krajcarca – 57.6%), followed by 0.45 μm fraction (Idrijska Bela – 36.7%, Krajcarca – 20.8%), and 5 μm fraction (Idrijska Bela – 5.7%, Krajcarca – 4.1%). Both aquifers proved to be a source of low but rather constant microbial biomass. The analyses of shot-gun sequencing data that are underway are going to shed light into the identity and the biogeochemical role of these microbial cells in the subsurface. The results are not relevant only for the understanding of the microbial dynamics in the low energy karst aquifers, but also for water management in order to minimize the pressure on underground ecosystems.
COBISS.SI-ID: 41759789