Evaporite Karst of Romania

Abstract

Evaporite karst in Romania is mostly related to Miocene occurrences in the intra-Carpathian Basins, Subcarpathian Nappe, northern Dacian Basin and, to a minor extent, the Eocene in the NW Transylvanian Basin. Evaporitic karst areas account for 259 km2 (salt karst 48%, gypsum and anhydrite karst 52%). The most typical landforms are: dolines, karren, and caves. Until now, 53 salt and 20 gypsum and anhydrite caves, respectively, were recorded in Romania. The salt karst from Meledic Plateau (Mânzalești, Vrancea region) records the highest number of caves (47) and karst landscape complexity, followed by the Praid–Corund and Slanic–Prahova salt mountains. Romania’s most notable evaporite endokarst feature is the 3234-m-long 6S Cave from Mânzalești. Karren morphology is sharp-edged, particularly dominated by rills, runnels, and straight wall channels. Mining and controlled flooding of abandoned mined chambers have significantly influenced the evolution and functioning of salt karst systems by formation of anthropogenic saline lakes and new active underground conduits (Slanic-Prahova, Ocna Mureș). Solution of gypsum and anhydrite has a more discrete imprint on the related karst landscape, outlined in the Meseș Mountains, Turzii Gorge, Tazlau Subcarpathians, Maramureș Depression, and Hunedoara Basin. Dolines and karren are the most prevalent exokarst landforms in gypsum, whereas caves are short (up to 30 m) and speleothems rather poor.