Paleoenvironmental Dynamics of Karst Aquatic Systems
Summary
Karst aquatic systems, characterised by carbonate bedrock and subterranean drainage networks, preserve detailed records of past environmental change. Variations in speleothem growth, lacustrine sedimentation and submarine springs offer high-resolution archives of hydrological shifts, sea-level fluctuations and climate oscillations. Proxies such as stable isotope ratios, trace-element concentrations and microfossil assemblages provide insights into temperature, precipitation and redox conditions over millennial to centennial timescales. The interplay of tectonics, eustatic sea-level rise and karst hydrogeology regulates basin connectivity, controlling transitions between freshwater, brackish and marine regimes. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for water-resource management, carbon-cycle modelling and coastal hazard assessment in regions where karst aquifers supply drinking water and sustain unique biodiversity.
Research from Nature Portfolio
Recent studies have used needle-like aragonite crystals in lake sediments to reconstruct Late Quaternary palaeoclimate in a meromictic karst lake. Variations in Sr/Ca ratios and δ13C values revealed episodic cold-dry events between 8.3 and 2.6 cal ka BP that promoted anoxia and enhanced organic carbon burial efficiency. Combined proxies including C/N ratios and geochemical redox indicators demonstrated that lower temperatures strengthened carbon preservation in the hypolimnion. These findings suggest that future warming may reduce carbon sequestration potential in stratified karst lakes, with implications for global carbon-cycle feedbacks.
Paleoenvironmental Dynamics of Karst Aquatic Systems publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in paleoenvironmental dynamics of karst aquatic systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Karst aquifer: A groundwater system in soluble carbonate rock, featuring conduits and caves that facilitate rapid water transport and variable connectivity.
Speleothem: Secondary mineral deposits (such as stalagmites and stalactites) formed in caves, preserving geochemical records of past climate and hydrology.
Tufa barrier: A porous, freshwater carbonate deposit formed at springs or waterfalls, often creating dams that influence sedimentation and water flow.
Proxy: A measurable characteristic (e.g. isotope ratio, fossil assemblage) used to infer past environmental conditions in the absence of direct observations.
References
- Past climate variations recorded in needle-like aragonites correlate with organic carbon burial efficiency as revealed by lake sediments in Croatia. Scientific Reports (2021).
- Integrated Reconstruction of Late Quaternary Geomorphology and Sediment Dynamics of Prokljan Lake and Krka River Estuary, Croatia. Remote Sensing (2023).
- Late Glacial and Holocene Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction of the Submerged Karst Basin Pirovac Bay on the Eastern Adriatic Coast. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (2025).
- A Holocene Sedimentary Record and the Impact of Sea-Level Rise in the Karst Lake Velo Blato and the Wetlands on Pag Island (Croatia). Water (2022).
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