New Insight into Geochemistry and Mineralogy of Deep Caves in Croatian Karst and Its Implications for Environmental Impacts

Paar, Dalibor; Frančišković-Bilinski, Stanislav; Buzjak, Nenad; Maldini, Krešimir (2025) New Insight into Geochemistry and Mineralogy of Deep Caves in Croatian Karst and Its Implications for Environmental Impacts. Water, 17 (7). ISSN 2073-4441

	Microsoft Word - Accepted Version - article Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (4MB)
	PDF - Published Version - article Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (1MB)

Abstract

This study examines speleothems, sediments, rock, and water to assess geochemical and mineralogical processes in deep karst systems. Focusing on Slovačka jama cave (−1320 m deep) and the Velebita cave system (−1026 m deep), we identify elemental and mineralogical anomalies that provide valuable records of element transport, mineral formation, and paleoenvironmental changes. Heavy metal anomalies (Al, B, Co, Mn, Na, Tl, Ba, Be, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Pb, Rb, Ti, U, Zn) at 300–400 m of depth in Slovačka jama indicate a complex interplay of geological conditions, geomorphological processes, atmospheric deposition, and potential anthropogenic influences. Factor analysis reveals two elemental associations: (1) Fe, Pb, Cu, and Zn, linked to terrigenous aluminosilicates, and (2) Cd, Cr, Mo, and Ni, suggesting airborne or geological sources. Mineralogical analysis confirms the dominance of calcite, with quartz, clay minerals, feldspars, magnetite, and goethite also detected. High magnetic susceptibility values in sediment-rich samples suggest Fe-rich mineral inputs from weathering, biogenic activity, or industrial sources. Ba anomalies in feldspar-rich samples and Sr accumulation at depth indicate distinct geochemical processes. These findings enhance our understanding of deep karst geochemistry, crucial for paleoenvironmental reconstructions and groundwater protection.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Dinaric karst; deep caves; geochemistry; mineralogy; magnetic susceptibility
Subjects:	NATURAL SCIENCES > Geology NATURAL SCIENCES > Geophysics INTERDISCIPLINARY AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE > Geography INTERDISCIPLINARY AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE > Geography > Physical Geography
Divisions:	Division for Marine and Enviromental Research
Depositing User:	Stanislav Frančišković-Bilinski
Date Deposited:	04 Apr 2025 12:41
URI:	http://fulir.irb.hr/id/eprint/9689
DOI:	10.3390/w17071001

Actions (login required)

View Item