NW Croatia Research Articles

“Marina-Trinkkur” and a few more modern-time hydrotherapeutic myths from the Kvarner region of NW Croatia

Purpose. The present paper tries to address the rise and decay of the sea-water “cult” in regional health tourism in NW Croatia, concentrating upon and analysing more thoroughly the example of Marina, chemicaly processed sea water, an invention of Dr Géza Fodor, the Hungarian physician practicing in that part of Croatia.Method. The original documents and archived items related to the topic were examined. Furthermore, we investigated numerous comunal bulletins and medical authorities' records of respective time.Results. Our research showed that the sea-water baths, introduced thanks to the influence of balneologists (like J. Glax), and “drinking cures” (advocated by M.-J. Örtel, for instance) were surprisingly popular not only among tourists of the time, but also among the physicians that used them extensively for therapeutical purposes. These baths and “drinking cures” enriched and completed the medical offer of the resorts regardless of their sometimes dubious effectiveness.Conclusions. This simple distilled sea-water preparation, advertised as a real panacea, demonstrates a paradigm that elucidates the mentality of physicians, merchants, and patients/consumers of the time.

Relationship Between Laying Order and Egg Dimensions in the BlackcapSylvia atricapilla

This study analyzes the influence of egg laying order on egg dimensions (especially on egg volume) and on the size of the last egg laid in a Blackcap clutch. The research was carried out in deciduous woodland in NW Croatia during 2002 and 2004. The analyses covered only clutches with five eggs (the dominant size of the first clutch in the study area), where the first eggs were laid on the same day (5 May 2002 and 11 May 2004). The present study suggests that the Blackcap may employ a strategy of increasing the egg volume of each successive egg laid, which may reduce size hierarchy between nestlings and prevent competition between them.

DNA phylogeny of Lacerta (Iberolacerta) and other lacertine lizards (Reptilia: Lacertidae): Did competition cause long‐term mountain restriction?

West European Rock lizards, Lacerta (Iberolacerta) have small widely separated ranges in highland areas. Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences corroborate the monophyly of the group and show it is not closely related to any of the other Rock lizards with which it was formerly placed in Archaeolacerta, an assemblage for which there is no evidence of clade status. L. (Iberolacerta) consists of four main units: L. (I.) horvathi of NW Croatia and neighbouring regions; the Pyrenees species, L. (I.) bonnali, L. (I.) aranica and L. (I.) aurelioi; L. (I.) cyreni of the Iberian Sistema Central, with distinctive populations in the Sierras de Bejar, Gredos and Guadarrama; and L. (I.) monticola of the Serra da Estrela of Central Portugal and NW Spain, this unit also contains L. (I.) cyrenimartinezricai of La Peña de Francia, W. Spain and a distinctive population in the Montañas de Sanabria. L. (Iberolacerta) has persisted in some mountain ranges for at least 4.2 ± 1.4 Ma and may have been restricted to mountains by competition from Wall lizards (Podarcis). Its clade status shows it has lost range extensively and has produced few external branches since its initial fragmentation. In contrast, Podarcis diversified about the time L. (Iberolacerta) fragmented, producing a series of widespread lineages that have persisted until the present time. The mainly European subfamily Lacertinae, to which both L. (Iberolacerta) and Podarcis belong, diversified rapidly 13–9 Ma ago, probably largely replacing other lacertid lizards of earlier origin. As another round of replacement started at approximately 9 Ma ago with the spread of Podarcis, this may be a recurrent phenomenon in the evolution of some lizard communities.

Lacustrine basin to delta evolution in the Zagorje Basin, a Pannonian sub-basin (Late Miocene: Pontian, NW Croatia)

Pontian deposits of the Zagorje Basin constitute a coarsening-upward succession, which reflects the infilling style of this Pannonian sub-basin, i.e. the progradation of clastic systems into the brackish lake. Six facies differentiated correspond to lake floor, channelled slope, distal and proximal pro-delta, distal and proximal mouth bars, and lagoon/bay to swamp and alluvial environments. The deposition in the mouth-bar area was dominated by frictional forces. The upper-stage plane-bed sands are the main mouth-bar facies, which is uncommon in the geological record. The main factors for the origin of such bars include an abundant sand supply by the high-energy fluvial system(s), low-energy of the receiving basin and shallow depositional depth. Prolonged, catastrophic floods generated sustained hyperpycnal flows, which bypassed the mouth-bar area and fed the slope/pro-delta. The high ratio between sediment supply and subsidence rate resulted in a fast moving ‘progradational wave’, which involved the entire SW Pannonian Basin, including the Zagorje Basin.

Impact of Geomorphological Variables in Weighing the Lithological Influence on Geochemical Composition of Stream and Overbank Sediments: A Regression Model for the Žumberak Area (NW Croatia)

The two multiple regression models were compared on the assumptionthat the geochemical composition of the alluvial material is basically originally derived from the bedrock lithology of a drainage basin of the Žumberak Area (NW Croatia). The latter was integrated with both stream sediment and overbank sediment geochemical data via the two essentially different approaches as regards the catchment basin geomorphological data: (1) as the relative area of influence representing a portion of the catchment basin occupied by a certain rock type; (2) as the relative “line” of influence representing a narrow tract of a certain rock type traversed by the majority of perennial streams which form the active stream network. The model comparisonwas accomplished on the basis of the goodness-of-fit test for both experimental designs and for the same set of data. The most important result of these experiments highlights the linear approach as the more appropriate model for ascertaining the lithological influence on the analyzed sample media. This can be explained by the stronger erosiveand transportational power of the water which flows in the well defined channel network in contrast to the unconcentrated surface runoff in the interfluvial area, coupled with the buffering effects of rich slope and riparian vegetation, which is characteristic of the Žumberak heartland.

Heavy Metal (As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn) Distribution in Topsoil Developed on Alluvial Sediments of the Drava and Sava Rivers in NW Croatia

In the region of north-western Croatia (NWC) 328 topsoil samples were taken (from a depth of 0 to 25 cm). The composite samples were analyzed after near total decomposition (a hot acid mixture: HClO4–HNO3–HCl–HF at 200°C) by ICP–AES for As, Cd, Cu, Pband Zn. Hg was analysed by cold vapour AAS. The following element concentration ranges were acquired: As 2–74 mg/kg (geometric mean 8 mg/kg), Cd 0.4–9.4 mg/kg (geometric mean 0.4 mg/kg), Cu5–248 mg/kg (geometric mean 22 mg/kg), Hg 5–4,535 mg/t (geometric mean 55 mg/t), Pb 15–699 (geometric mean 32 mg/kg) and Zn28–1,432 (geometric mean 82 mg/kg). The analysis of the spatial distribution of heavy metals in NWC showed increased values of As, Cd, Hg and Pb at Mts. Žumberak, Medvednica, Ivanščica and Kalnik that originate mainly from natural sources (bedrock mineralizations and ore deposits). The Cu and Zn contents on Mt. Medvednica are only slightly less natural in origin. The high concentrations of copper on the slopes of Mts. Žumberak, Medvednica, Kalnik and in the NW part of Hrvatsko Zagorje are of anthropogenic origin and are related to wine-growing areas.In the Sava River valley the average levels of Hg, Zn, As, Cd,and Pb are higher than the calculated baseline values (geochemical background) in the NWC while the Cu values are equal to the baseline values. The higher values of As, Cd, Pb, and (in part) Zn are for the most part of anthropogenic origin, and to a lesser extent of natural origin. The Hg in the top soil has a strong anthropogenic influence caused by mining upstream (Litija) and by the city of Zagreb’s urban area (fossil fuel combustion, traffic, electrolysis, diverse paints, pharmaceutical products, chlor-alkali industry and paper industry).The pedogenic profile shows that the content of Cd, Pb, Cu and Znat a depth of 20 cm is almost half the content of the same elements found in the first two centimeters of the soil. At a depth of 60 cm, the concentrations are in the level of background values characteristic of the preindustrial era. When compared to the calculated baseline values, the contents ofAs, Cd, Cu and Hg in the soils of the Drava River valley are higher, while the Pb and Zn contents are anomalous. According to permitted concentrations of heavy metals for ecological food production prescribed by Government regulations the contents of As, Pb and Zn in the top soil on the Drava alluvial sediment are too high. The Cu concentrations are lower than the limit permitted by Government regulation. The higher contents of mercury, although under the limit prescribed by Government regulation, are an immediate consequence of fossil fuel combustion and traffic in the urban area of the city of Varaždin. Factor analysis and high correlation coefficients show a mutual connection of Pb, Zn and Cd (Pb and Zn r = 0.96; Pb and Cdr=0.80; Zn and Cd r=0.84). These 3 heavy metals show high positive factor loadings on the first factor (F1) which accounts for more than 58% of the data variability. The flood waters of the Drava River were highly loaded with anthropogenic Pb, Zn and Cd mainly as a consequence of mining, smelting and flotation activities upstream in the Meža valley in the Republic of Slovenia and Austria. Also, they were additionally loaded with waste waters from upstream settlements. The soil profile shows that increasing depth results in the lowering of the Pb, Zn, Cd and As content reaching the background level of that area at 80 cm depth. This suggests that the alluvial sediments of the preindustrial era lay deeper.

Comparison of Hail Characteristics in NW Croatia for Two Periods

This paper presents hail characteristics for two separate periods (1981–1990,1991–1999) in the western part of the hail protected area along the Croatianand Slovenian border. The first period is characterised by full application ofhail suppression technology. The protected area was covered with a sufficientnumber of hail suppression rockets, rockets launching was permitted across theSlovenian border aimed at early seeding, and Slovenia in that time had also theoperative hail suppression system. The second period is characterised withsignificantly lower application of hail suppression technology compared withfirst period. During the independence war in Croatia, because of a lack ofrockets and other objective circumstances, appropriate rocket hail suppressionwas missing. This work examines whether hail characteristics on the border areahave changed, taking into account the changes in suppression. Results show thatthe average diameter of hailstones and duration of hailfall slightly increasedin second period. Also, there is an increase in the number of areas with alarger ratio of hail producing heavy damage, compared with first period. On thebasis of data from five meteorological stations, it is visible that, as a resultof implementation of the hail suppression system, the average number of dayswith solid precipitation on that area in period April–October has reduced,compared with the period when there was no hail suppression system.

Scinderella scopuliformis nov. gen., nov. sp. (Dasycladales, green algae) from the middle Triassic of Croatia

Scinderella scopuliformis nov. gen., nov. sp. is identified in the Anisian (Middle Triassic) reef limestones from the Belski dol quarry (Ivanščica Mt., NW Croatia). The new alga is characterised by claviform thallus, curved in the basal part, and very narrow central cavity. Thallus is often disintegrated into fragments. Laterals swell from a thin basal part, and have uniform (rarely slightly increasing) diameter along most of their length. Distally, they are flattened and probably touch each other, forming an irregular cortex. Laterals are arranged densely in close whorls and oblique to the longitudinal axis. Euspondyl arrangement is readily visible in the proximal part of the laterals, but distally, the arrangement seems more or less irregular, i.e. ruffled (Lat. scindere = ruffle, dishevel) and resembling a broom (Lat. scopulae = small broom; forma = form, shape).

Facies and Facies Architecture of the Ivanić Grad Formation (Upper Pannonian) - Sava Depression, NW Croatia

Four facies were distinguished within the Ivanić Grad Formation of the Sava Depression: massive marl facies (F1), thick-bedded to massive sandstone facies (F2), thin-bedded sandstone facies (F3) and thin bedded sandstone, siltite and marl facies (F4). Interpretation of the depositional mechanisms confirmed the presence of two basic sedimentary processes. Hemipelagic deposits are represented by fine grained detritus. The lithification of these produced a massive marl(facies - F1). Sand detritus was transported into the depression by turbidite currents (facies - F2- F4), and formed a narrow elongated sedimentary body. By comparing the facies defined on the basis of core samples, the spontaneous-potential curve (SP) and the resistivity curve (Ra) of identical intervals, four facies associations were defined on well logdiagrams: channel filling (FA), depositional lobe (FB), lateral and distal turbidites (FC) and massive marls (FD).

Chronohorizons Based on Resistivity Curve Variations - Upper Miocene Sediments of the Ivanić Grad Formation in the Sava Depression (NW Croatia)

Regional definition of chronohorizons represents a fundamental andmost difficult problem in geology. Adequate precision of dating canonly be obtained from biological evolution, radioactive decay andfrom the key surfaces of the sequence stratigraphic concept (MFS,TSE, and LSE). It is concluded in this paper that the variation of formation resistivity values (Ra curve), as measured in wells located inthe Croatian part of the Pannonian Basin System, is also a criterion for the stratigraphic definition of concurrently deposited sediments. This enables the construction of a sequence of lithogenetic units related to very small time-intervals. The morphology of the resistivity curve measured in well sections composed of massive marls (that were deposited in a quiet environment of moderate water depth), is regionally exceptionally well defined. This pattern consists of a succession of peaks of lower and higher resistivity values that are in the same relative position regionally, which results in similar form of the resistivity curves of the wells in the study area. On the curve, one peak of higher values together with the next (overlying) peak of lower ones composes a single cycle(SC). Marls of a single cycle were regionally deposited at the same time, thus enabling the points of both the maximal and minimal resistivity values of each SC to be considered as time-markers (chronohorizons). Variation of the resistivity reflects fine changes of petrographicand granulometric composition which can be associated with cyclic water-level fluctuations (Milankovitch cycles). For future exploration of the remaining, potential hydrocarbon accumulations in the sandstone reservoirs of the Ivanić Grad Formationin the Sava Depression, spatial modelling of the distribution, geometry, facies and palaeocurrent structure of separated depositional episodes and genetic units is suggested. This should be done with special emphasis on the spatial definition of channel sandstones thatare the most important hydrocarbon reservoirs (according to current interpretations).

The Jurassic ophiolitic melange in the NE Dinarides: Dating, internal structure and geotectonic implications

A chaotic complex (Repno Complex) exposed in the Inner Dinarides, NW Croatia, consists of a mixture of magmatic and sedimentary rocks in a dark shaly matrix. It exhibits the typical features of ophiolitic melanges originating from subduction and accretionary processes. An Early Jurassic to Bajocian age of the fine-grained terrigenous sediments, now composing the shale matrix, is documented by palynomorph assemblages. Continental source areas with "eastern" affinities are envisaged for the shale matrix. The included bodies, millimetric to kilometric in size, consist of sandstones, cherts, red shales, pyroclastics, basalts, gabbro and ultramafics. The shale matrix shows a characteristic scaly cleavage. The preservation of the various inclusions depends on their rheological behaviour during accretion/subduction processes. The most mobile components were the fine-grained terrigenous sediments now represented by the shaly matrix. Subduction processes and formation of the melange developed between the Middle Jurassic and the Hauterivian. The relevant ocean segment was presumably closed before the Barremian. It is suggested that the Meliata, Repno and Central Dinaric oceanic domains were parts of the single ocean belt neighbouring the Adria.

Geochemical Baseline Mapping of Soils Developed on Diverse Bedrock from Two Regions in Croatia

The comparison of contents and distribution maps for Al, As, Ba, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, La, K, Na, Ni, Mg, Mn, P, Pb, Sc, Sr, Ti, Th, V, Y, Zn and Hg in the topsoil cover of two typical regions are given. One is a carbonate bedrock (karst) dominated region (southern Dalmatia) and the other a non-carbonate bedrock dominated region (NW Croatia). The results imply that the soils developed on carbonate bedrock have higher mean values of almost all elements excluding K, Na, Mg and Ba, which are lower in carbonate terrains. In comparison with the non-carbonate terrains, for the carbonate terrains the following elements have higher mean concentrations: Al, As, Co, Cu, Fe, La, Mn, Pb, Ni, Mn, Th, V, Cr, Zn, Zr and Nb, while Sr, P and Ti have similar contents. Approximately 4% of the sites can be considered as moderately enriched (polluted) in Pb, either from mining activities or airborne deposition. Only a limited number of sampling sites can be directly linked with mineralization. The derived factors are usually interpreted as associations of elements that imply a common source or behavior in regard to geogenic or anthropogenic influences. It was found that difference between the northwestern Croatia and southern Dalmatia is not expressed only by concentration differences but also by element associations. Five factor models accounting most of the data variability seemed appropriate to portray the geochemical variability within the topsoil of both regions.

New Congerian Species and Their Similarity with Congeria banatica from the Pannonian Sediments in Northern Croatia

Congeria baschi n.sp. and Congeria susedana n.sp. are two new species from the Pannonian sediments of the Medvednica Mts. (NW Croatia). C. baschi n. s p . was found in the Lower Pannonian limestones, and C. susedana n.s p . was collected from the Upper Pannonian marls. Relationships with the affiliated taxa enable reconstruction of a phyletic lineage beginning with Congeria soceni JEKELIUS, through C. baschi n.sp. to Congeria banatica HORNES. C. banatica is the ancestor of two branches, leading to C. susedana n. sp. and C. vugro veci SREMAC, respectively. Dreissenomya digitifera (ANDRUSOV) is the probable descendant of C. vugroveci. The accompanying assemblages of fossil molluscs and ostracods from the same horizons facilitate the precise stratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental positioning of the new taxa.

Review of the Results of Morphometric and Morphogenetic Analyses of Early Pleistocene Micromammals and Upper Pleistocene Cave Bears in Croatia

Due to the large number and visible morphological variability of skeletal parts of the Early Pleistocene micromammals and Upper Pleistocene ursids we utilised morphometric, morphogenetic and statistical analyses in order to determine and process the material. The results indicate rapid microevolutionary processes which arc reflected both in variations of the characteristic parameters of particular skeletal parts, and their morphology. The Early Pleistocene age of the bone-breccias discovered along the Adriatic coast was confirmed by the morphogenetic analyses of micromammals, with reference to geochronologically important arvicolids: the fauna from Razvode near Knin comprises arvieolids characteristic of the Lower Early Pleistocene, the fauna from Tatinja draga near Karlobag comprises species typical for the Middle Early Pleistocene, while the fauna from Podumci near Unisic is of Late Early Pleistocene age. The results of the analyses of teeth and metapodial bones of the cave bears from the Upper Pleistocene deposits in Vindija cave, Velika pecina and Veternica cave (NW Croatia) are expressed as morphodynamic indices, namely, the frequency of the morphotypes occurrence indicates the existence of an interermediate type (?subspecies) within the phyletic lineage Ursus deningeri - Ursus spelaeus, which appeared during the Riss glacial and Riss/Wuerm interglacial, and a lack of deposits of that particular age in Veternica cave and Velika pecina.

Petrographic Characteristics of Extrusive Rocks from Hruskovec, Mt. Kalnik, NW Croatia

Spilites, altered diabases and meta-basalts from Hruskovec quarry on Mt. Kalnik form part of a complex sequence of extrusive rocks. They are the result of several successive extrusions of basaltic lava within Upper Cretaceous sediments of heterogeneous petrographic composition. The mineral composition and the numerous textural variations are the results of different cooling histories. Intense spilitization was caused by descendent (sea water) and ascendent (juvenile) solutions. Products of the hydrothermal alteration are the result of very low to low-grade metamorphism. The contacts of the extrusives with surrounding sediments suggest an Upper Cretaceous age for the volcanism. The rocks resemble the extrusives found in other parts of Mt. Kalnik, as well as the extrusives from the wider area of NW Croatia and the rocks found in ophiolitic complexes of the Internal Dinarides.

Heavy metals in liming materials from NW Croatia: possible effect of liming on permissible contents of heavy metals in arable soil

The evaluation of the heavy metal discharge from liming materials into the arable soil in NW Croatia is based upon the contents of Fe, Mn, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Co and Hg in the studied carbonate raw materials, obtained under simulated conditions of the lowest presumed acidity (pH>3) which can occur in the agroecological environment. From the agroecological viewpoint, the heavy metal contents of the analyzed liming materials are much lower than the permissible levels. Only cadmium contents indicate that a certain amount of care should be taken into account. Because cadmium is bound in labile forms (pH>3 soluble fraction), it has to be considered quite mobile and biologically available in limed arable soils that are affected by drastic pH changes in the agroecological environment.

Coenological study of snails (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in forest phytocoenoses of Medvednica mountain (NW Croatia, Yugoslavia)

The coenological research of land snails has produced 42 taxa gathered on 68 sites in 11 forest phyto coenoses of the Medvednica mountain area (NW Croatia, Yugoslavia). Relative abundance, constancy and density have been established for every taxon of a snail community in the specific phytocoenosis. The total number of snail taxa, the average number of snail taxa per site, the Shannon-Wiener index (the qualitative characteristics) and the community density (the quantitative characteristic) have been established for every snail community. The snail communities from thermophilic basophilous phytocoenoses, especially the community in the association Querco-Ostryetum have been proved to be the richest in regard to quality and quantity. Markedly acidophilic phytocoenoses have had the poorest snail community: a snail community in the association Querco-Castanetum has proved the poorest in quality and the snail community in the asso ciation Luzulo-Fagetum has been the poorest in quantity. The Shannon-Wiener index has got its high est values in the snail communities belonging to climatogenous phytocoenoses. The attempts at establishing the relation of snail communities using objective methods have been made by calculating the similarity of snail communities according to Sorensen (1943) and Kulczynski (1927) and also by clustering according to weight variable-group method (Sokal & Sneath 1963: 310, 311). The following common features have been established among the results obtained by applying the stated methods: