A commercially available adenosine triphosphate (ATP) detection system, supported by cultivable microbial indicators, was optimized to estimate bioburden in different habitats in and outside show caves. Mass cave tourism and the presence of allochthonous organic matter result in high levels of airborne and total biomass. Underground habitats play an important role in the preservation and concentration of microbial biomass using air and water as transport mechanisms.
COBISS.SI-ID: 40106541
The paper comprehensively presents history of karst research in Slovenia, geological, geomorphological, speleological and hydrological characteristics of all karst types of Slovenia (Alpine, Dinaric, Isolated) as well as speleobiological characteristics of Slovene karst with a special emphasis on global underground biodiversity hotspot the Postojna-Planina Cave System. Moreover, it deals with the interaction between man and karst on relevant topics such as traditional land use, reasons for sparse population, negative impacts of human activities (waste disposal sites, waste water, traffic) and the most important measures for karst protection.
COBISS.SI-ID: 39886637
SEM/EDS microscopy inspection of speleothems from two karst caves in Slovenia, Predjama and Črna Jama, confirmed the presence of detrital fragments of clay minerals, feldspars, quartz, Fe-oxides/hydroxides, rutile and Nb-rutile, xenotime, kassite, allanite, fluorapatite, epidote, ilmenite, monazite, sphene, and zircon. It is likely that they were derived from the weathered rocks of the Eocene flysch. Probably they were first transported into the caves by floodwaters forming cave sediments. Later they were moved by air currents or by water to the surface of active speleothems. They might also be redeposited from overlying soils enriched with wind-transported minerals from the flysch, or from higher passages filled with weathered flysch sediment.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1253982