Projects / Programmes
January 1, 1999
- December 31, 2003
Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
6.12.00 |
Humanities |
Geography |
|
1.06.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Geology |
|
1.08.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Control and care of the environment |
|
Code |
Science |
Field |
P510 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Physical geography, geomorphology, pedology, cartography, climatology |
P470 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Hydrogeology, geographical and geological engineering |
P420 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Petrology, mineralogy, geochemistry |
P440 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Tectonics |
P450 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Stratigraphy |
P460 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Sedimentology |
Researchers (18)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
A complex karstology requires deepening of knowledge related to origin and development of karst, its surface and underground and about water flowing through it and shaping it. We study karst surface and how it depends on geological, climatical and hydrological circumstances and karst development. We research single superficial karst features and processes of their development.
Study of karst caves and aquifer cavernosity consists of studies of geological setting, the role played by caves, water flow through caves and features of cave spaces, their connection and rocky relief, cave sediments, flowstone and cave climate. Sediments and flowstone preserve the traces of karst development that may be revealed by palaeomagnetic researches of sediments and by flowstone dating. A special attention is paid to study of large cave systems, among them Škocjanske jame being an important part of UNESCO natural heritage and Postojnska jama as the most famous show-cave.
New data about early karstification are gathered by palaeokarstic researches.
Karst water researches include study of processes from rainfall infiltration or superficial stream sinking, through flow, accumulation of water underground to outflow through karst springs. To define the flow properties and substance transport in aquifers we use various hydrological, hydrogeological and hydrochemical methods and water tracing techniques. We introduce numeric modelling. Special attention is paid to study water quality and impacts on it.
Physico-chemical researches of carbonate rock solution process help to explain the formation of karst surface and caves. Measurements of rock solution in natural environment are complemented by study of solution kinetics at laboratory tests using and developing numerical models of karstification.
The history of karstology and study of karst caves is based on fact that Kras gave the name for a landscape on carbonate rocks to other languages and based on researches achieved on our karst the science karstology developed; the terms for several karst features are derived from Slovene language.
The research of basic karst properties allows a direct international comparison of results. We co-operate in several international projects and programmes and with numerous karstologists. Study of different types of karst all over the world with their specific properties allows to understand the basic karst properties.
The basic researches are starting point for planning life on this sensitive landscape. Regularly we take part in basic studies intended for water supply, planning the road construction, waste disposal sites, estimation of military activities on karst and for display of karst phenomena, mostly for tourist use.
We co-operate at study process at faculties and we plan an independent, at first post-graduate to become later a complex study of karstology.