Changes in Cave Sedimentation Mechanisms During the Late Quaternary: An Example From the Lower Cerovačka Cave, Croatia

Kurečić, Tomislav; Bočić, Neven; Wacha, Lara; Bakrač, Koraljka; Grizelj, Anita; Pavičić, Dinko Tresić; Lüthgens, Christopher; Sironić, Andreja; Radović, Siniša; Redovniković, Loris; Fiebig, Markus

doi:10.3389/feart.2021.672229

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 103 publications

(122 reference statements)

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“…Considering that the sediment yield reaching the sinkhole at the basin outlet is a function of the total erosion within the watershed (Renfro, 1975), the ecological restoration was capable of reducing it from 29.2 Mg year −1 , in the first year, to 14.6 Mg year −1 , in the third year. Since the Tarimba cave downstream was found to be silted up with sand‐sized sediments (Caldeira et al, 2021), the reduction in that textural class (Table 5) would contribute to restore the original sediment balance of the Tarimba sinkhole and its associated cave system, as observed previously by Kurecic et al (2021) in a cave in Croatia.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 53%

“…Karst areas are susceptible to water erosion (Jacinthe et al, 2004; Nie et al, 2015; Wacha et al, 2020), which could lead to desertification, if unchecked (Jiang et al, 2014; Zhao & Hou, 2019). In addition to the permanent soil degradation which results from eroding karst soils (Febles‐González et al, 2012), the exported sediment from karst slopes causes significant off‐site impact downstream, silting up sinkholes and underground caves (Kurecic et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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On‐ and off‐site erosion impacts of restoration measures in a tropical karst watershed

Fonseca

Chaves

Uagoda

2023

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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Karst areas are vulnerable landscapes which, if unprotected, could be permanently degraded. To bridge the gap existing in the reduction of on‐ and off‐site impact of restored tropical karst areas, this study was carried out in a 3.5 ha karst watershed of the Brazilian savanna (Cerrado). Precipitation, surface runoff, and soil loss were measured in representative runoff plots (22.1 × 1.84 m), used to assess the watershed erosion and sediment yield to a downstream sinkhole. The study was carried out during three hydrologic years, between September 2018 and May 2020. The predominant soils in the watershed were Lithic entisol and Quartzsamment, and the original land covers were natural savanna, seasonal forest, and degraded pastureland (Andropogon gayanus). The latter was restored with native savanna species, in the lower part of the watershed, and with a reformed pastureland, in the upper part. The USLE rainfall erosivity (R), soil erodibility (K), and soil cover (C) factors, runoff, soil loss, and the original soil and sediment textures were obtained from the runoff plots. The watershed soil loss and sediment yield were obtained by the USLE and GIS. Precipitation and rainfall erosivity ranged from 936 to 1223 mm, and from 6694 to 7746 MJ mm ha−1 h−1, in the period, respectively. Although the ecological watershed restoration reduced mean soil loss from 11.6 to 5.8 Mg ha−1 year−1, and sediment yield from 29.2 to 14.6 Mg year−1, on‐ and off‐site soil loss tolerances were still exceeded in 29 and 61% of the basin area, respectively. Ecological restoration also reduced the sand and clay content of the sediment entering the underground caves and river downstream, contributing to their hydrologic sustainability.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 53%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On‐ and off‐site erosion impacts of restoration measures in a tropical karst watershed

Fonseca

Chaves

Uagoda

2023

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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“…The higher contents of S, Na, Mg, K, Al, Fe, and trace elements in the white crust suggest the presence of aluminosilicates in these secondary minerals. Detrital minerals (quartz, muscovite, and albite) are related to the weathering and transport of soils and geological formations that outcrop outside the cave ( Bosch and White, 2004 ; Kurečić et al, 2021 ) by running or percolating waters. Hydroxyapatite can be formed in the cave environment by interacting with phosphorus ions and the carbonate component ( Audra et al, 2019 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A 16S rRNA Gene-Based Metabarcoding of Phosphate-Rich Deposits in Muierilor Cave, South-Western Carpathians

et al. 2022

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Muierilor Cave is one of Romania’s most important show caves, with paleontological and archeological deposits. Recently, a new chamber was discovered in the cave, with unique yellow calcite crystals, fine-grained crusts, and black sediments. The deposits in this chamber were related to a leaking process from the upper level that contains fossil bones and a large pile of guano. Samples were taken from the new chamber and another passage to investigate the relationship between the substrate and microbial community. Chemical, mineralogical, and whole community 16S rRNA gene-based metabarcoding analyses were undertaken, and the base of the guano deposit was radiocarbon dated. Our study indicated bacteria linked to the presence of high phosphate concentration, most likely due to the nature of the substrate (hydroxyapatite). Bacteria involved in Fe, Mn, or N cycles were also found, as these elements are commonly identified in high concentrations in guano. Since no bat colonies or fossil bones were present in the new chamber, a high concentration of these elements could be sourced by organic deposits inside the cave (guano and fossil bones) even after hundreds of years of their deposition and in areas far from both deposits. Metabarcoding of the analyzed samples found that ∼0.7% of the identified bacteria are unknown to science, and ∼47% were not previously reported in caves or guano. Moreover, most of the identified human-related bacteria were not reported in caves or guano before, and some are known for their pathogenic potential. Therefore, continuous monitoring of air and floor microbiology should be considered in show caves with organic deposits containing bacteria that can threaten human health. The high number of unidentified taxa in a small sector of Muierilor Cave indicates the limited knowledge of the bacterial diversity in caves that can have potential applications in human health and biotechnology.

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“…The three karst caves (lower, middle and upper Cerovac cave) are situated on the NE slope of Mt. Crnopac in the Velebit mountain range and have been studied in different campaigns between 1913(Kureči c et al, 2021Malez, 1965).…”

Section: The Fossil Sitementioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of enamel defects in a cave bear maxillary molar, with remarks on incremental markings in bear enamel

Kierdorf,

Konjević,

Radović

et al. 2024

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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The paper discusses the formation of an enamel defect in the crown of a cave bear (Ursus spelaeus sensu lato) left maxillary second molar (M2), based on macroscopic and microscopic analysis. The tooth belongs to a cranium recovered from the Cerovac caves in Croatia that exhibits a partially healed, depressed lesion in the left squama frontalis and a further lesion in the left maxilla associated with loss of the M1. Microscopic inspection demonstrated an accentuated incremental line in both enamel and dentin of the left M2. It is suggested that in the defect area the outer enamel had been posteruptively lost along the accentuated line in the enamel that constituted a zone of reduced mechanical resistance. Presence of enamel hypoplasia in both M2 indicated that these developmental lesions reflect a systemic stress event during crown formation of the teeth. The underlying cause of this stress is assumed to have been a trauma to the skull that caused the lesion in the left squama frontalis. It is further suggested that a later trauma to the left maxilla had led to the loss of the left M1 and the flaking‐off of enamel along the accentuated incremental line in the left M2. The defect in the left M2 is thus diagnosed as the result of a developmental lesion during crown formation, related to systemic stress due to a skull trauma, followed by posteruptive damage from a second traumatic impact. In addition to reconstructing the formation of the defect in the crown of the left M2, the paper, for the first time, describes daily and subdaily incremental markings in ursid enamel and provides preliminary information on enamel secretion rate in a cave bear molar.

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Changes in Cave Sedimentation Mechanisms During the Late Quaternary: An Example From the Lower Cerovačka Cave, Croatia

Cited by 9 publications

References 103 publications

On‐ and off‐site erosion impacts of restoration measures in a tropical karst watershed

On‐ and off‐site erosion impacts of restoration measures in a tropical karst watershed

A 16S rRNA Gene-Based Metabarcoding of Phosphate-Rich Deposits in Muierilor Cave, South-Western Carpathians

Analysis of enamel defects in a cave bear maxillary molar, with remarks on incremental markings in bear enamel

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