Does Microplastic Pollution in the Epikarst Environment Coincide with Rainfall Flushes and Copepod Population Dynamics? DOI Open Access
Lara Valentić, Tanja Pipan, Nataša Ravbar

et al.

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(22), P. 10123 - 10123

Published: Nov. 20, 2024

Karst areas are characteristic landscapes formed by the dissolution of soluble rocks, whose hydrology is largely influenced rapid infiltration through karst massif. These often hotspots biodiversity, especially for epikarst and cave fauna. The epikarst, uppermost layer unsaturated zone, plays a crucial role in regulating water flow aquifers. aim this study was to investigate extent microplastic (MP) pollution, its relationship with precipitation correlation copepod populations areas. conducted between April 2021 October 2022 Postojna–Planina area SW Slovenia at surface underground sampling sites determine pathways MP pollution from depth results indicate that heavier rainfall flushes out more contaminants environment. transport dynamics similar copepods, which baseline organisms food chain caves. One sample contained only polyamide particles, could clothing as possible source but inconclusive. With study, we provide first insight into environment deeper massifs.

Language: Английский

Does Microplastic Pollution in the Epikarst Environment Coincide with Rainfall Flushes and Copepod Population Dynamics? DOI Open Access
Lara Valentić, Tanja Pipan, Nataša Ravbar

et al.

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(22), P. 10123 - 10123

Published: Nov. 20, 2024

Karst areas are characteristic landscapes formed by the dissolution of soluble rocks, whose hydrology is largely influenced rapid infiltration through karst massif. These often hotspots biodiversity, especially for epikarst and cave fauna. The epikarst, uppermost layer unsaturated zone, plays a crucial role in regulating water flow aquifers. aim this study was to investigate extent microplastic (MP) pollution, its relationship with precipitation correlation copepod populations areas. conducted between April 2021 October 2022 Postojna–Planina area SW Slovenia at surface underground sampling sites determine pathways MP pollution from depth results indicate that heavier rainfall flushes out more contaminants environment. transport dynamics similar copepods, which baseline organisms food chain caves. One sample contained only polyamide particles, could clothing as possible source but inconclusive. With study, we provide first insight into environment deeper massifs.

Language: Английский

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