1. Microplastic pollution in vulnerable karst environments : case study from the Slovenian classical karst regionLara Valentić, Peter Kozel, Tanja Pipan, 2022, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Since the start of mass production of plastic materials more than a century ago, the problem of accumulating plastic waste in the environment has reached epic proportions. Recently, the problem of smaller plastic particles (microplastic, MP) in the environment has become a widely studied topic, but the amount and types of MP in karst environments are still poorly known. Thus, the objective of this study was to collect and analyse samples from various karst habitats and to try and determine the scope of pollution in karst springs that are in part used as sources for drinking water. Of the potential pollution sources, we sampled rainwater, two discharges from wastewater treatment plants, and a leachate from a landfill. We conducted polymer analyses of potential MP particles using FTIR-ATR. The results showed that eight samples from the Postojna region (Postojna–Planina Cave System, rainfall sample and surface streams) contain up to 444 MP particles per m3. However, 32 samples taken from the Škocjan–Kačna–Jama 1 v Kanjaducah Cave System contain up to 60,000 MP particles per m3, with the bulk of particles found in the sediment samples from Škocjan Caves – Kačna Cave System. Samples from Postojna region contained mostly PET, PU and PA polymers, with a minor inclusion of polymers of plastic sponge used for cleaning. Samples from Škocjan region contained mostly PP, PET and PE polymers, with some of PA and PU polymers. Sediment samples contained much less MP particles compared to water samples, which indicates fast transport through karst aquifer.
Ključne besede: caves, fibres, microplastic contamination, karst (geology), groundwater, pollution, plastics, aquifers, Postojna (Slovenia), Škocjan (Slovenia)
Objavljeno v DKUM: 12.07.2024; Ogledov: 122; Prenosov: 21
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2. Starvation hardiness as preadaptation for life in subterranean habitatsPeter Kozel, Tone Novak, Franc Janžekovič, Saška Lipovšek Delakorda, 2023, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Most subterranean habitats, especially caves, are considered extreme environments, mainly because of the limited and erratic food supply and constant darkness. In temperate regions, many climatic conditions, such as temperature and air humidity, are periodically less adverse or even more favourable in caves than the harsh seasonal weather on the surface. Accordingly, many animal species search for hibernacula in caves. These overwintering, non-specialized subterranean species (nontroglobionts)
show various modes of dormancy and ongoing development. Since they do not feed, they all undergo periodic starvation, a preadaptation, which might evolve in permanent starvation hardiness, such as found in most specialized subterranean species (troglobionts). To this end, we performed a comparative analysis of energy-supplying compounds in eleven most common terrestrial non-troglobiont species during winter in central European caves. We found highly heterogeneous responses to starvation, which are rather consistent with the degree of energetic adaptation to the habitat than to overwintering mode. The consumption of energy-supplying compounds was strongly higher taxa-dependant; glycogen is the main energy store in gastropods, lipids in insects, and arachnids rely on both reserve compounds. We assume that permanent starvation hardiness in specialized subterranean species might evolved in many different ways as shown in this study.
Ključne besede: subterranean habitats, caves, starvation hardiness
Objavljeno v DKUM: 08.12.2023; Ogledov: 449; Prenosov: 43
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3. Contribution of non-troglobiotic terrestrial invertebrates to carbon input in hypogean habitatsTone Novak, Franc Janžekovič, Saška Lipovšek Delakorda, 2013, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Eleven of the most important terrestrial invertebrate species in Slovenian caves were analyzed for differences in their fresh and dry biomass, energy content and carbon bulk during winter. These data were combined with the species abundance in 54 caves and adits in order to estimate their organic carbon bulk and carbon input into these habitats. In Central European caves, Troglophilus cavicola, T. neglectus, Faustina illyrica, Amilenus aurantiacus and Scoliopteryx libatrix are the most important vectors of carbon between the epigean and hypogean habitats. In contrast to the general assumption, carbon total contribution to caves via dead bodies is only 0.15% of total migratory biomass, and it is not directly available to troglobionts because of infection with entomopathogenic fungi. In winter, together with predated migratory specimens, carbon input does not exceed 0.3% of the total migratory biomass. This situation should be carefully examined in every karstic region inhabited by distinctive fauna.
Ključne besede: biomass, carbon flux, caves, non-troglobiotic species, organic carbon, respiration
Objavljeno v DKUM: 21.12.2015; Ogledov: 1714; Prenosov: 130
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