Central Slovakia Research Articles

Alien wetland annual Lindernia dubia (Scrophulariaceae): the first recently mentioned localities in Slovakia and their central European context

Abstract(L.) Pennell, a Northern-American species, was recently found in two localities in central Slovakia (near Trenč and Štiavnické Bane villages) as a new species for the flora of Slovakia. Individuals of the species grew in wetland vegetation of the class

A new species of Docosia Winnertz from Central Europe, with DNA barcoding based on four gene markers (Diptera, Mycetophilidae).

A new species of Docosia Winnertz, Docosia dentata sp. n., is described and illustrated, based on a single male specimen collected in Muránska planina National Park in Central Slovakia. DNA sequences (COI, COII, CytB, and ITS2) are included and compared for 13 species of Docosia. There was found only little congruence between the molecular results and previous scarce data about interspecific relationships based on morphology. The COI and CytB gene markers showed the highest interspecific gene distances while ITS2 showed the lowest ones. An updated key to the 23 Central European species of Docosia is also presented.

Hydrothermal speleogenesis in carbonates and metasomatic silicites induced by subvolcanic intrusions: a case study from the Štiavnické vrchy Mountains, Slovakia

Several caves of hydrothermal origin in crystalline limestones and metasomatic silicites were investigated in the central zone of the Štiavnica stratovolcano, Štiavnické vrchy Mountains, central Slovakia. Evidence of hydrothermal origin includes irregular spherical cave morphology sculptured by ascending thermal water, occurrence of large calcite crystals and hydrothermal alteration of host rocks, including hydrothermal clays. The early phases of speleogenesis in the crystalline limestone near Sklené Teplice Spa were caused by post-magmatic dissolution linked either to the emplacement of subvolcanic granodiorite intrusions during Late Badenian time or to the spatially associated Late Sarmatian epithermal system. Speleogenesis in metasomatic silicites in the Šobov area is related to hydrothermal processes associated with the pre-caldera stage of the Štiavnica stratovolcano in Late Badenian. Both localities are remarkable examples of hydrothermal speleogenesis associated with Miocene volcanic and magmatic activity in the Western Carpathians.

Modelling the Climate Change Impact On Monthly Runoff in Central Slovakia

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the possible impact of climate change on the runoff regime of the Hron River basin up to the Banská Bystrica profile until the year 2100. The daily rainfall-runoff model Hron which was developed at the Department of Land and Water Resources Management, SUT Bratislava, was used. The model was calibrated on a period between 1981-1995 and validated on 1996-2010 For the simulation of the possible impact of climate change, the KNMI and MPI climate change scenarios, which illustrate changes in daily precipitation, daily air temperature and the average air humidity in the river basin for future periods, were used. In conclusion the average monthly flows for the future time horizons of 2011-2040, 2041-2070 and 2071-2100 with a reference period (1981-2010) were compared. Based on the results of the two hydrological models and the two different climate change scenarios, we can expect an increase in long-term mean monthly discharges for the winter and spring periods and a decrease for the summer period.

Vplyv environmentálnych a ekologických faktorov na pôdnu reakciu vo vybranej oblasti stredného Slovenska

Vplyv environmentálnych a ekologických faktorov na pôdnu reakciu vo vybranej oblasti stredného Slovenska

Assessment of an Impact of Mechanical Regulation on Selected Morphometric and Productive Parameters of Invasive Species Solidago Canadensis Population in Agricultural Land

Abstract Repeated mowing is considered as one of the effective control methods against species of the genus Solidago. This paper evaluates the impact of the repeated mowing on selected morphometric and productive characteristics of the invasive neophyte Solidago canadensis in the district of Rimavská Sobota in Central Slovakia. Permanent research plots (PRPs) were established within anthropogenic habitat on an abandoned land that was divided into two variants. In the first variant, the mechanical regulation - mowing was applied. The second variant was without the regulation. The mechanical regulation of the populations was carried out in June and August during the growing season 2011. The results showed that the mechanical regulation did not have a clear impact on the population density. The decreasing trend of the number of shoots within the mowed variant was found only in one research plot (PRP3). The other plots showed an increase in the number of individuals by 2.7 and 32.7% between the mowings. Statistically highly significant differences in terms of the mowing impact on the height of the individuals were found in all PRPs. The difference in the weight of dry aboveground biomass between the mowings was 221.87 g, which represents 36.41%. Double the difference (48.8%) was recorded in the dry weight of the underground biomass in the regulated stand compared with the unregulated stand (165.1 and 322.5 g/m2, respectively). Although there was a short-term success achieved by the application of the two mowings during the growing period, the pursued objective was not reached.

Wall Vegetation in Old Royal Mining Towns in Central Slovakia

Abstract During May, 2013, the vegetation on city walls has been studied in five old royal mining towns of Central Slovakia (Banská Belá, Banská Štiavnica, Kremnica, Nová Baňa, and Pukanec). In the four last-named towns, phytocoenological material was recorded according to the Braun-Blanquet method, providing 41 relevés. Analysis of data (Twinspan , DCA) grouped the relevés into four clusters: ass. Cymbalarietum muralis, Corydalidetum luteae, Asplenietum rutae-murarie-trichomanis, and the most hemerobic community dominated by Chelidonium majus. All communities are generally rather heterogeneous, with a large range of number of species and with frequent participation of accessory plants. In the observed localities, 22 epilithic mosses and 2 liverworts were recorded: the most common species appears Encalypta streptocarpa, Homalothecium sericeum, Tortula muralis, Hypnum cupressiforme, Schistidium apocarpum agg., and Bryum caespiticium.

Variance decomposition of predictions of stem biomass increment for European beech: Contribution of selected sources of uncertainty

The contribution of selected sources of uncertainty to the total variance of model simulation results of stem biomass increment – calculated from annual stem biomass predictions – of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) was quantified. Sources of uncertainty were defined as the selected variables that influence the total variance of the model results. Simulations were made: (i) for ten regional climate models (RCMs) based on the IPCC scenario A1B and providing an ensemble of climate projections up to 2100; (ii) with two forest model types (FMTYPEs); (iii) for four forest management intensities (MANFORs); and (iv) for three time windows (TIMEWINDs), each spanning 15years, starting in 2019, in 2049 and in 2079. Both models, the empirical SIBYLA model and the process-based ANAFORE model, were calibrated using experimental tree growth data from four plots in central Slovakia between 1989 and 2003. Three of these plots, representing the four MANFORs, were subject to different prior intensities of thinning while one was left untouched as a control. The FMTYPE explained most of the total variance in the simulation results (39.9%), followed by MANFOR (i.e. thinning intensity; 22.2%) and TIMEWIND (12.0%), while the effect of RCMs on model uncertainty was limited (<1%). Stem biomass increment results obtained from the two FMTYPES were different in absolute terms, but the models agreed well in their relative response to RCM, to MANFOR and to TIMEWIND. The total variance of the predictions was 10 times higher for the process-based model (ANAFORE) than for the empirical model (SIBYLA). These observations are the reason for the large contribution of FMTYPE to the total variance of the simulated stem biomass increment results.

NanoSIMS mapping and LA-ICP-MS chemical and U–Th–Pb data in monazite from a xenolith enclosed in andesite (Central Slovakia Volcanic Field)

In this study, we use NanoSIMS element and isotope ratio mapping and LA-ICP-MS trace element measurements to elucidate the origins of monazites from a restitic xenolith enclosed in a 13.5 ± 0.3 Ma andesitic lava (Slovakia). The xenolith/lava interaction is mainly characterized by the growth of a plagioclase-bearing corona around the xenolith and magmatic garnet overgrowths on primary metamorphic garnets within the xenolith. NanoSIMS images (89Y, 139La, 208Pb, 232Th and 238U) and trace element analyses indicate that variations of HREE, Y and Eu contents in the monazite are correlated with the resorption and the following overgrowth of garnet and plagioclase in the xenolith. Three domains are distinguished in the monazite grains: the inherited Variscan core at ca. 310 Ma (M1 domain) characterized by low Y and HREE contents and a weak negative Eu anomaly; the inner rim (M2 domain) crystallized during the growth of the plagioclase magmatic corona (large negative Eu anomaly) and the resorption of metamorphic garnet (high HREE and Y contents); and the external rim (M3 domain) crystallized during the growth of the plagioclase corona (large negative Eu anomaly) and during the crystallization of magmatic garnet (low Y, HREE contents) at ~13 Ma, i.e. the age of the andesitic lava. The age and chemical zonation of the monazites attest to the preservation of primary monazite in the xenolith despite the interaction with the andesite lava. NanoSIMS imaging provides high-quality sub-µm scale images of the monazite that reveals chemical domains that were not distinguishable on WDS X-ray maps, especially for depleted elements such as U and Pb. Owing to its small size, the M2 domain could not be accurately dated by the LA-ICP-MS method. However, NanoSIMS isotopic maps reveal that the M2 domain has similar 208Pb/232Th isotope ratios to the M3 domain and thus similar ages. These results support the hypothesis that melt-assisted partial dissolution–precipitation in monazite efficiently records chemical and mineralogical changes during xenolith/lava interaction.

Mercury contamination from historical mining territory at Malachov Hg-deposit (Central Slovakia)

Environmental contamination caused by mercury is a serious problem worldwide. The study was conducted in order to identify Hg contamination in soil, technosoil from dumps, groundwater, and surface water in the surroundings of the abandoned Hg deposit of Malachov in Central Slovakia. Soil from the Malachovský brook valley was classified as cambi-soil (rendzina). The highest Hg concentrations (44.24 mg kg(-1)) were described in the soil from the mining area at the Vel'ká Studňa locality. In the groundwater, the maximal Hg content is 0.84 μg L(-1), and in the surface water it is 394 μg L(-1). The speciation study proved that in most samples, Hg occurs in the form of cinnabarite. The release of Hg into the environment as a consequence of weathering is limited.

Estimation of the impact of climate change-induced extreme precipitation events on floods

Abstract In order to estimate possible changes in the flood regime in the mountainous regions of Slovakia, a simple physically-based concept for climate change-induced changes in extreme 5-day precipitation totals is proposed in the paper. It utilizes regionally downscaled scenarios of the long-term monthly means of the air temperature, specific air humidity and precipitation projected for Central Slovakia by two regional (RCM) and two global circulation models (GCM). A simplified physically-based model for the calculation of short-term precipitation totals over the course of changing air temperatures, which is used to drive a conceptual rainfall-runoff model, was proposed. In the paper a case study of this approach in the upper Hron river basin in Central Slovakia is presented. From the 1981–2010 period, 20 events of the basin’s most extreme average of 5-day precipitation totals were selected. Only events with continual precipitation during 5 days were considered. These 5-day precipitation totals were modified according to the RCM and GCM-based scenarios for the future time horizons of 2025, 2050 and 2075. For modelling runoff under changed 5-day precipitation totals, a conceptual rainfall-runoff model developed at the Slovak University of Technology was used. Changes in extreme mean daily discharges due to climate change were compared with the original flood events and discussed.

'I Still Live in Guantanamo!' Human Rights Abuses Continue after Detainees Leave Guantanamo

In November 2014, the U.S. government transferred Yemeni national Hussein Al-marfadi from the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba detention center to the nation of Slovakia. He had never been charged with a crime, and had been cleared for release nearly five years before his transfer to Slovakia. Three months later, in February 2015, the Witness to Guantanamo project (W2G) interviewed Al-marfadi in Zvolen, a town in central Slovakia. Although physically and psychologically scarred from his twelve years of detention, Al-marfadi was an engaging, even-tempered and thoughtful man. However, when W2G asked Al-marfadi about his life today, his composure and even-tempered tone transformed to one of anger. His attitude reflected that of many detainees resettled in third or host countries foreign to them. As he vividly expressed it, may be in Slovakia, but I am still living in Guantanamo. Al-marfadi saw his resettlement in a rural community with only a handful of Muslims and no mosque as another form of imprisonment. To him, living in central Slovakia was an alternate form of isolation. The United States will not accept resettlement of detainees into the continental U.S. Consequently, human rights organizations are grateful when other nations reach out and agree to resettle detainees, especially the detainees who cannot return to their homelands. The hope is that, once free from Guantanamo and resettled in a new environment, the men will have the opportunity to improve their lives. However, that has not always been the result. This essay will describe the experiences of detainees who have resettled in third or host countries, as well as detainees who have been resettled in their home countries. The essay is based on interviews W2G has filmed with the detainees, in addition to other sources. The overarching message from the interviews and research is that when the U.S. transfers detainees to third countries, the U.S. has not been mindful in finding the best fit or even a suitable environment for the men to re-enter society. In addition, in transferring detainees out of Guantanamo — whether to third countries or to the detainees' home countries — the U.S. washes its hands of the detainees, and has no interest in their welfare. The men become exiles, left to fend for themselves. The essay closes by arguing that the U.S. has an obligation to the men after they are released. After having incarcerated the detainees — many for more than a decade, and most without charges — and by causing the men to suffer physical and psychological torture, the U.S. must assume responsibility. Some of the detainees have asked for nothing more than an apology and acknowledgement. Others would like reparations or compensation. Most, if not all, need social services and psychological counseling. The various remedies may not lead to healing of all the detainees, especially those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the U.S. must assume responsibility and assist the detainees to find work, to start a family, to settle into a community and to rebuild their lives.

Staurosirella rhombus (Ehrenberg), Ognjanova-Rumenova, Buczkó, Wojtal &amp; R. Jahn, comb. nov.—Typification, morphology and biostratigraphic significance

A new combination Staurosirella rhombus (Ehrenberg), comb. nov., is based of Fragilaria rhombus. Using light and scanning electron microscopy, the type material from Jastrabá, Slovak Republic was studied. The taxonomic description and typification was done on the basis of the original line drawings, mica preparations and on raw materials, which are housed in the Ehrenberg Collection, Museum für Naturkunde, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin (BHUPM). Comments are presented regarding possible synonyms, described for the Neogene sediments in the realm of Central Slovakia.

Chlorine-Enriched Tourmalines In Hydrothermally Altered Diorite Porphyry From the Biely Vrch Porphyry Gold Deposit (Slovakia)

Chlorine-enriched tourmaline was found in a hydrothermally altered Miocene diorite porphyry at the Biely Vrch porphyry gold deposit (Central Slovakia) as a relatively rare alteration mineral forming radial aggregates composed of thin prismatic crystals in the central part of quartz veinlets filled by calcite. Zoned tourmaline with Cl-enriched central zones is accompanied by allanite-(Ce) to epidote, fluorapatite, Al-rich titanite, magnetite, rutile, ilmenite, and pyrite. The tourmaline chemical composition is controlled by exchange of Fe 2+ for Al at relatively constant Mg content. It produces a trend from the earliest X -site vacant Al-rich oxy-tourmaline in the central part of tourmaline aggregates to the latest feruvite on their margins. Tourmalines belong to three groups: X -site vacant (“ vacancy-Mg-O root name” tourmaline, magnesio-foitite, and foitite), alkali (oxy-schorl, schorl), and calcic (feruvite) tourmaline. The variation in Al and Fe content is the result of concomitant action of AlOFe −1 OH) −1 , Al X □Fe −1 Na −1 , and FeCaAl −1 Na −1 substitutions. Enrichment in Ca likely results from FeCaAl −1 Na −1 substitution. The Cl content in tourmaline from Biely Vrch attains 0.45 wt.%, which is equivalent to 0.126 apfu . The chlorine content increases with decreased Fe and increased octahedral Al and X -site vacancy. Bond-length calculations yield six bond-valence and bond-length probable local structural arrangements with W Cl, and these are all characterized by dominance of Al at the Y sites and O at the V sites. Based on the analytical data and bond-length calculations, the chemical composition of Cl-enriched tourmaline is a result of crystallographic factors as well as petrologic environmental conditions. The enrichment in Cl is most likely related to the unusually Cl-rich hot hydrothermal fluid responsible for the origin of the host Biely Vrch porphyry gold deposit. The Cl incorporation in tourmaline is influenced by Fe availability in the genetic environment; increased Fe 2+ substitution for Al reduces the ability of tourmaline to incorporate Cl.

Changes in the snow water equivalent in mountainous basins in Slovakia over recent decades

Abstract. Changes in snowpack and duration of snow cover can cause changes in the regime of snow and rain-snow induced floods. The recent IPCC report suggests that, in snow-dominated regions such as the Alps, the Carpathian Mountains and the northern parts of Europe, spring snowmelt floods may occur earlier in a future climate because of warmer winters, and flood hazards may increase during wetter and warmer winters, with more frequent rain and less frequent snowfall. The monitoring and modelling of snow accumulation and snow melting in mountainous catchments is rather complicated, especially due to the high spatial variability of snow characteristics and the limited availability of terrestrial hydrological data. An evaluation of changes in the snow water equivalent (SWE) during the period of 1961–2010 in the Upper Hron river basin, which is representative of the mountainous regions in Central Slovakia, is provided in this paper. An analysis of the snow cover was performed using simulated values of the snow water equivalent by a conceptual semi-distributed hydrological rainfall-runoff model. Due to the poor availability of the measured snow water equivalent data, the analysis was performed using its simulated values. Modelling of the SWE was performed in different altitude zones by a conceptual semi-distributed hydrological rainfall-runoff model. The evaluation of the results over the past five decades indicates a decrease in the simulated snow water equivalent and the snow duration in each altitude zone and in all months of the winter season. Significant decreasing trends were found for December, January and February, especially in the highest altitude zone.

Kerimasite, {Ca3}[Zr2](SiFe3+2)O12garnet from the Vysoká-Zlatno skarn, Štiavnica stratovolcano, Slovakia

AbstractKerimasite {Ca3}[Zr2](SiFe23+)O12, a rare member of the garnet supergroup, has been identified in association with andradite–grossular and their hydrated analogues, monticellite, perovskite, clintonite, anhydrite, hydroxylellestadite–fluorellestadite, spinel, magnetite, brucite, valeriite and other minerals from a Ca-Mg skarn in the exocontact of a granodiorite porphyry intrusion in Vysoká-Zlatno Cu-Au skarn-porphyry deposit, the Štiavnica stratovolcano, Central Slovakia. Kerimasite forms euhedral-to-anhedral crystals, 2 to 100 μm across with 0.73–1.62 atoms per formula unit (a.p.f.u.) Zr (16.2–33.6 wt.% ZrO2), 0.34–0.66 a.p.f.u. Ti (4.6–9.3 wt.% TiO2), 0.01 to 0.05 a.p.f.u. Hf (0.4–1.7 wt.% HfO2: the largest Hf content reported in kerimasite), and small amounts of Sn, Sc and Nb (≤0.02 a.p.f.u.). Tetrahedral Si (0.99–1.67 a.p.f.u.; 9.8–18.1 wt.% SiO2) is balanced by 0.85–1.26 a.p.f.u. Fe3+and by 0.46–0.76 a.p.f.u. Al. The crystals commonly show regular, oscillatory concentric zoning or irregular patchy internal textures due to Zr, Ti, Fe, Al and Si variations during growth or partial alteration and dissolution-reprecipitation. The main substitutions in kerimasite areY(Fe,Sc)3++ZSi4+=Y(Zr,Ti,Hf,Sn)4++Z(Fe,Al)3+and Ti4+= Zr4+. Associated andradite locally contains irregular Ti- and Zr-rich zones with ≤11 wt.% TiO2and ≤4.4 wt.% ZrO2. In comparison with common Ca-rich garnets, the micro-Raman spectrum of kerimasite shows that many bands shift towards much lower wavenumbers, either due to Fe3+substitution on theZsite or to the strong influence of neighbouring octahedrally-coordinated Zr4+on internal vibrations of tetrahedra that share oxygens. The formation of kerimasite, monticellite, perovskite and other phases indicate a relatively Ca-rich and Si, Al-poor environment, analogous to other known occurrences of Ca-Zr garnets (Ca-rich skarns and xenoliths, carbonatites). Kerimasite and associated skarn minerals originated during contact-thermal metamorphism of Upper Triassic marl slates with limestone, dolomite, anhydrite and gypsum by Miocene granodiorite porphyry atT≈ 700°C andP≈ 50–70 MPa.

The Influence of Wild Boars on the Growth of Forest Trees and Stands: A Case Study of a Wild Boar Game Preserve/ A vaddisznó hatása a fák és a faállomány növekedésére - egy vaddisznóskert esettanulmánya

AbstractThis research investigated methods for determining and quantifying the impact of wild boars on the increment and growth of forest trees and stands. The influence of wild boars on stand variables was observed in a wild game preserve established in central Slovakia in 2000 practicing intensive wild boar management. Long-term measurements obtained from two long-term research plots of sessile oak trees established in 1969 were used to monitor stand growth. Increments of trees were observed on tree ring cores coming from trees surrounded by differently damaged soil surfaces. Wild boars rooting the soil surface proved to have neither a positive nor negative influence on the mean diameter and height of the forest stands. Analysis of radial increments in 9 trees growing on sites with more intense, deeper, and permanent rooting in the soil profile located near a larger mud bath was also carried out. A more distinctive increment depression was found on one oak near the mud bath and on one beech where deeper soil surface rooting occurred.

Molluscan Diversity in Stream Driftwood: Relation to Land Use and River Section

ABSTRACT In stream corridors, driftwood represents mainly a dead vegetation biomass and diverse artificial material relocated along a stream by flooding. Most driftwood can contain empty molluscan shells or a minor proportion of live individuals (i.e. molluscan allocoenoses). Drifted material is important for spreading of fauna and flora. Molluscan allocoenoses can provide valuable information on molluscan fauna of the upstream area. The main objective of the study was to describe changes of the species composition, diversity and similarity in molluscan allocoenoses along the model river ecosystem in relation to land use of partial watersheds. In the years 2010–2011, 23 samples of driftwood were taken at 23 sites along the Hron River (Central Slovakia) from the spring to the mouth. Molluscan allocoenoses were composed of 135 species (95 terrestrial and 40 aquatic). The number of species found at particular sites ranged from 29 to 72 with a mean of 48. We confirmed our hypotheses that similarity in mollusc...

Differences in evaluation of three different approaches in home range sizes of red deer Cervus elaphus in Western Carpathians / Rozdiely vo vyhodnotení veľkosti domovských okrskov jeleňa lesného Cervus elaphus v Západných Karpatoch tromi rôznymi prístupmi

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate differences using three different approaches in home range sizes of selected male individuals of red deer (Cervus elaphus). This study was conducted in the Kremnica Mountains (the Western Carpathians) located in central Slovakia. The study included data from three individuals, collared and tracked by using the VHF (Very High Frequency) telemetry. The data were evaluated within three different seasons (winter, summer and rut). For the measuring of home range sizes three methods were used: Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP), Kernel Home Range (KHR) and Local Convex Hull (LoCoH). The seasonal effect on home range size was analyzed by using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) two and three main effects. The study showed differences in home range sizes and core areas in red deer population. The migrant individual had a lager home range size with used methods. The differences occurred between total seasonal home ranges, but statistically not significant. The home range created by Local Convex Hull was significantly smaller than the home range created by Kernel Home Range.

Geological interpretation of magnetotelluric sounding in the southern part of seismic profile 2T (Central Slovakia)

Abstract In this paper we present a geological interpretation of magnetotelluric sounding along the southern part of the seismic 2T profile situated in the southern Central Slovakia. The complexes with higher conductivity are imaged in the shallow depths, formed by the Tertiary sediments and volcanics. In the northernmost part of the profile, the influence of non-conductive complexes composed of orthogneisses and overlying Mesozoic carbonates is significant. In the central part of the profile, the low conductive granitoid complexes are superposed over the metamorphic rocks with higher conductivity. This structure is a remnant of the Hercynian middle crust nappes. The most outstanding phenomenon of the profile is the sudden, almost step change in the conductivity parameters of the crust in the southern part. The significantly high conductivity of the crust in this area is most probably not related to its lithological composition, but by the abundant supply of fluids in the crust connected with the Neogene tectonic and volcanic processes.