Karst Research and Development of Karstology in the Altai Republic
We, karstologists, in the country of the Classical Karst and of karstologically classical karst are developing integral karstology and connecting its most important areas: research of the karst surface, caves, waters and biological characteristics. An integral approach to the study of karst landscapes is a foundation for a good knowledge and understanding of karst heritage. Since 2013, we have been successfully cooperating with researchers, natural and cultural heritage managers, and nature conservationists from the Altai Republic. We are discovering Siberian karst, exploring it and assisting with the development of karstology.
Within the scope of promotional activities in 2018, we pursued the following goals and realized them:
- An interdisciplinary approach to exploring Altai karst and documenting it on film, as an innovative communication activity: We conducted field research of the rock from a lithopetrologic aspect; determined the intensity of karstification in the area in question; took rock samples, from which we prepared microscopic specimens at home; conducted detailed geological examinations; took biological samples of fauna; measured the basic physical and chemical parameters and took samples of karst waters; we placed an automatic temperature and conductivity data logger at a selected site at the spring of Ust-Kan. After arriving back home, we conducted a chemical analysis of water samples and detailed analyses of the vulnerability assessment of karst aquifers in the researched area; we assessed the diversity of subterranean fauna, its vitality or endangerment; we determined the development of rock landforms, the presence of biocorrosion, and defined other karstological findings. The work in our own laboratory and the preliminary research results were also documented on film and combined into a sensible whole. Our communication activities will be presented for the first time on the TV Slovenija channel in the show “Ugriznimo znanost” (Let’s Bite into Science), and additionally in the film “Krasni kras” (Beautiful Karst) and in segments in the show “Alpe-Donava-Jadran” (Alps-Danube-Adriatic).
- A presentation of the research activities in Russia and Slovenia in the field of karstology for the expert and lay public: In the past, we published our findings in the Znanostsupplement of the newspaper Delo(BOŠNJAK, Dragica. “Zemeljsko površje je kot koža, ki varuje notranje organe: Altajski kras” [The Earth’s Surface Is like Skin Protecting Internal Organs: Altai Karst]. Delo, priloga Znanost, 2015), on various websites, e.g. https://si.rbth.com/science/79370-slovenski-znanstveniki-raziskujejo-ruske-jame, while our Russian colleagues have published articles about our visit in their local newspapers, journals and on the official websites of their institutions (http://www.altzapovednik.ru/news/2018/09/sloveny-karst.aspx, http://www.gasu.ru/university/news/4456/?sphrase_id=16641).
- A continuation of the established professional and scientific contacts, which will enable excellent future collaboration: An agreement on cultural, educational and scientific cooperation has been signed between the Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, the University of Nova Gorica, the Gorno-Altaisk State University and the Altai Biosphere Reserve. Our research findings have been incorporated directly into the curriculum of the Karstology doctoral study programme at the University of Nova Gorica.
- A presentation of the scientific publications by project collaborators and of joint papers, which demonstrate our international achievements in karst research: The first findings of our research have been presented in a scientific publication in the international karstological journal Acta carsologica(2019). The publication and other activities cite the Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS) as the source of the co-financing of promotional activities.