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Particulate matter concentrations (PM 10 , PM 2.5 , PM 1 ) and microclimatic parameters (air temperature, CO 2 ) were monitored in the Škocjan Caves (Slovenia). The effects of tourist visits on the PM concentrations and the cave's microclimate are immediate and direct, but these values normalise relatively quickly. The results showed seasonal, diurnal, and spatial differences in all parameters studied. Due to the higher number of visitors, their influence on the cave's microclimate and PM 10 and PM 2.5 concentrations is greater in summer than in winter. The measured PM 1 levels depend on the ventilation in the cave, as air transport plays an important role in their introduction into the cave. PM consists of minerals of natural origin resulting from the re-suspension of cave sediments due to strong air currents generated by the opening of the doors to tourists and their walks. The second most common influence is the anthropogenic phases originating from maintenance work in the cave, electronic devices, cave lighting and emissions from outside the cave (aerosols from the polluted Reka River, industry, traffic, gypsum waste disposal). In order to upgrade the sustainable use of the UNESCO-listed Škocjan Caves for tourism, we propose regular monitoring of PM and a detailed characterization of individual PMs and their sources, in addition to monitoring of the cave's microclimate and biology., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

When playing in sandboxes, children are particularly vulnerable to poisoning with potentially toxic elements (PTE) due to their hand-to-mouth behaviour. In Slovenia, the city of Celje is heavily contaminated due to zinc ore smelting and iron industry. In some sandboxes, sand from Mežica Pb-Zn mine waste was used. Granulometric and XRF analysis showed that all samples contain larger percentage of fine-sized particles and some have higher As, Ba, Cd, Pb and Zn contents than allowed. By XRD and SEM/EDS analysis we identified carries of PTE, and confirmed three possible sources of contamination: the waste material from the Pb-Zn mine, the emissions from local industry and from the old Zn-smelting stockpile used as a landfill. The total health risk (ΣHI) exceeds critical value in one sandbox. The bioaccessibility of PTEs is alarming due to presence of highly soluble metal-bearing particles. Study revealed importance of combining results of health risk evaluation with bioaccessibility of elements, which is a function of the carriers of PTE. This knowledge is essential for undertaking remedial measures. Improper use of waste material could result in introducing hazardous material in the environment. We propose frequent replacement of sand and stricter legislation regulating status and usage of waste materials., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Two closely related, syntopic species, Leiobunum rupestre and L. subalpinum, spend the day at apparently randomly distributed resting sites. In this preliminary research, we studied differences in their microclimatic preferences at a locality in the Pohorje Mts., Slovenia. We measured air temperature and relative humidity at individual resting sites, and found that L. subalpinum occupied a slightly wider air temperature-relative humidity ecospace as compared to L. rupestre. Individuals of L. rupestre rested at more humid sites than L. subalpinum. Regression analyses revealed that the presence of L. rupestre was most likely at resting sites with air temperature in the range of 1217°C and with relative air humidity of 98.1%. In contrast, the presence of L. subalpinum was most likely at resting sites with air temperature 23.1°C and relative air humidity in the range of 6585%. Nevertheless, microclimatic niches of both species overlapped almost completely, indicating that niche filtering may allow the coexistence of the two species.

A highly specialized, endemic troglobiotic harvestman, Hadzinia ferrani sp. n., recently found in the Ferranova buža cave in the karst of Mt. Ulovka in central Slovenia is described. It is characterized by its small, 1.1-1.4 mm long body and very long, thin appendages, with leg II more than 20-times as long as the body. Although very similar to Nemaspela Šilhavý, 1966, the genus Hadzinia Šilhavý, 1966 can be clearly differentiated from Nemaspela by its truncated glans and short stylus, well delimited from the glans. According to these characteristics, Hadzinia is assumed most closely related to Pyza Staręga, 1976 and Vestiferum Martens, 2006 rather than to Nemaspela with the glans gradually tapering into a mostly long stylus. Genital morphology is the most appropriate and probably the only morphological approach for investigating relationships among the taxa under study.