Author/Editor		Mulec, Janez; Kosi, Gorazd; Vrhovšek, Danijel
Title		Algae promote growth of stalagmites and stalactites in karst caves (Škocjanske jame, Slovenia)
Type		članek
Source		Carbonate Evaporite
Vol. and No.		Letnik 22, št. 1
Publication year		2007
Volume		str. 6-10
Language		eng
Abstract		Growth of stalagmites and stalactites is in karst caves controlled by different parameters. In illuminated cave entrances gowth of such carbonate structure is not controlled just by abiotic factors, but also by cyanobacteria. At present just a few examples are known where growth of speleothems is linked with biolithogenic activity of certain organisms. This work presents species composition of stromatolitic stalagmites and of stalactites the growth of which is enhanced by carbonate deposition promoted by cyanobacteria towards sun light. From the cave entrance in Škocjanske jame (Slovenia) in the algal community of stromatolitie stalagmites 35 taxa were identified with a low portion of coccoid cyanobacteria and taxa such as Calothrix sp., Homoeothrix sp. and Schizothrix sp. In carbonate depositions on the illuminated side of stalactites 14, mainly coccoid, cyanobacteria were identified. It seems that such biogenic carbonate formations could be far more widespread in subaerial habitats when algal propagulas meet adequate ecological factors for growth.
Descriptors		FRESH WATER CARBONATES ALGAE CYANOBACTERIA