Geochemical Processes of Karst and Karst Paleoenvironments

Dear Colleagues,

Karst landscapes and karst aquifers, which are composed of a variety of soluble rocks, comprise 20–25% of the ice-free land surface, and nearly 20% of society worldwide relies on karst aquifers for economic, urban, and environmental fresh water. The dissolution of a carbonate rock and the influence on water chemistry are a combination of various geochemical processes of major significance to the origin and evolution of the karst environment. Today, the main driver influencing environmental changes in the karst environment is anthropogenic chemical contamination and climate change. In order to evaluate the impact of these changes on karst systems it is necessary to determine geochemical background levels for delineating between natural and anthropogenic impacts. The geochemistry of natural geological archives, such as soils, sediments, and speleothems, can be used as proxies to estimate the magnitude of human and climate change impacts on water resources today. In this Special Issue, we would like to focus on the study of geochemical processes recorded at various temporal and spatial scales, including water monitoring and changes recorded in geological time frames. We welcome contributions that focus on the inorganic and organic components, as well as isotopes, in all components of existing karst systems and their paleoenvironmental counterparts. Research related to the geochemistry of karst systems in the broadest sense is most welcome.

Dr. Slobodan Miko
Dr. Nikolina Ilijanić
Guest Editors

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