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Chemistry of waters from selected caves in Slovakia—a reconnaissance study

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Environmental Geology

Abstract

The chemical composition of water samples was studied from different caves in Slovakia. The water samples were collected from caves of two karst regions: (1) the Demänovský Cave System (DCS), situated in the Low Tatra Mountains (Northern Slovakia), which is mainly formed of limestone and dolomites; and (2) the Slovakian Karst to the Southeast is formed of limestone. A considerable difference between water from the two regions was shown. The waters from the DCS, that were controlled by vadose water percolating through different types of host rocks, contained more Mg ions than those from the Slovakian Karst caves whereas, the concentration of SO4 was controlled by the dissolution of displacive gypsum and/or oxidation of pyrite. The distribution of NO3 in the studied samples was random, hence nitrates probably derived from few pollution sources. The total mineralization of the water was covariant with calcite and aragonite saturation indices. In general, both parameters are higher in the Slovakian Karst caves than in the DCS. It is controlled probably by differences in climatic conditions, soil and plant covers between these two regions. The main goal of this article is to characterize the major-ion water chemistry within the studied caves as well as some microelements. The results have confirmed the dominant role of the bedrock petrography in forming the general chemistry of cave waters.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Ĺ.Gaál and J. Stankovič who provided the data on topography and geology of Krásnohorská Cave, as well as J. Szulc who informed the authors of the sedimentary environment and petrography of Triassic carbonates. Colleagues from the caving club STJ KW-Kraków (Poland), particularly S. Zagórski, helped in collection of the samples. Renata Jach drew the figures. The manuscript benefited from the effort of rewievers and the editor.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Mining, AGH, University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 30, 30-059, Kraków, Poland

    J. Motyka

  2. Institute of Geological Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Oleandry 2a, 30-063, Kraków, Poland

    M. Gradziński

  3. Administration of the Slovak Caves, Hodžova 11, 031-01, Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia

    P. Bella

  4. Slovak Museum of Nature Protection and Speleology, Školská 4, 031-01, Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia

    P. Holúbek

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  1. J. Motyka
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Correspondence to J. Motyka.

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Motyka, J., Gradziński, M., Bella, P. et al. Chemistry of waters from selected caves in Slovakia—a reconnaissance study. Environ Geol 48, 682–692 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-005-0006-2

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