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Analysis of microplastics in selected surface and underground karst waters
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This Slovenian study sampled microplastics in surface waters and groundwater of the Postojna and Skocjan karst regions, including cave rivers, finding plastic particles even in underground water systems and demonstrating that microplastics penetrate into sensitive and hard-to-reach freshwater environments.
V okviru magistrskega dela smo se osredotočili na postojnsko in škocjansko območje, kjer so bila opravljena vzorčenja ponikalnic Pivke in Reke z delom njunih porečij ter jamami, ki so z rekama povezane. Vzorčenja smo opravili v površinskem toku obeh ponikalnic, iztoku iz čistilne naprave v Postojni in Ilirski Bistrici, v različnih vodnih telesih v jamah (ponvicah, lužah in podzemeljskem toku ponikalnic) ter deževnici na obeh območjih. V okolici Postojne smo vzorčili izvir Malni, ki celotno Pivško kotlino oskrbuje s pitno vodo, in površinski tok reke Unice na Planinskem polju. Na škocjanskem območju smo vzorčili iztok iz smetišča Globovnik pri Ilirski Bistrici, umetno jezero Mola, izvire Timave in izvir Brojenca, ki se neposredno izlivajo v Jadransko morje. Kjer je bilo mogoče, smo odvzeli tudi vzorce sedimenta. Skupno je bilo z obeh območij zbranih 58 vzorcev vode in 29 vzorcev sedimenta. Izmed vseh 87 vzorcev je bila mikroplastika prisotna v 31 vzorcih – 26 je bilo vodnih vzorcev, mikroplastiko pa je vsebovalo tudi 5 vzorcev sedimenta. Vzorci sedimenta z mikroplastiko so bili najdeni izključno na škocjanskem območju. Mikroplastika je bila najdena tudi v vzorcih deževnice.
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Microplastic pollution in vulnerable karst environments: case study from the Slovenian classical karst region
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Researchers sampled karst springs, caves, and other habitats in Slovenia's classical karst region and detected microplastics across multiple sites, including springs used for drinking water, raising concerns about plastic contamination of these ecologically sensitive and hydrologically connected underground environments.
Preliminary investigations of microplastic pollution in karst systems, from surface watercourses to cave waters
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This study collected water samples from surface streams and connected cave waters in a karst system in Italy to document microplastic pollution in groundwater-linked environments. Microplastics including fibers and fragments were detected throughout the karst system, demonstrating that plastics infiltrate even protected underground aquifers.
Microplastic pollution calls for urgent investigations in stygobiont habitats: A case study from Classical karst
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Researchers examined microplastic pollution in karst cave systems in the Classical Karst region, finding that these underground habitats harbor significant contamination. The study suggests that vulnerable cave-dwelling species may be consuming microplastics, which could undermine conservation efforts for protected groundwater ecosystems and the species that depend on them.
Microplastics in Pristine Caves of the Classic Karst (NE Italy): A First Assessment of Contamination Levels
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Researchers conducted the first assessment of microplastic contamination in pristine, remote cave systems in the Classic Karst region of northeastern Italy. The study found microplastics present even in extremely isolated underground environments hydraulically connected to the Reka/Timavo River, demonstrating the pervasive reach of microplastic pollution into previously uncontaminated ecosystems.
(Micro-)Plastics in Saturated and Unsaturated Groundwater Bodies: First Evidence of Presence in Groundwater Fauna and Habitats
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Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in three Italian groundwater systems, including karst caves and an alluvial aquifer, providing early evidence that microplastics are present in underground water habitats. The study also found that groundwater-dwelling invertebrates had ingested microplastic particles, raising concerns about pollution impacts on these fragile and largely unstudied ecosystems.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.