20.500.12556/RUL-171176 Microbiome and chemistry insights into two oligotrophic karst water springs in Slovenia from 2016 and 2023 perspectives Groundwater, a critical source of drinking water, plays an essential role in global biogeochemical cycles, yet its microbial ecosystems remain insufficiently characterized, particularly in pristine karst aquifers. This study conducted high-resolution profiling of microbial communities and environmental parameters in two representative alpine karst aquifers in Slovenia: Idrijska Bela and Krajcarca. Monthly groundwater samples from the Krajcarca spring and Idrijska Bela borehole over a 14-month period were analyzed using wholemetagenome sequencing (WMS), UV-Vis spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and isotopic analysis. The results revealed stable hydrochemical conditions with clear spatial differences driven by bedrock composition and groundwater residence time. Bacterial communities displayed strong correlations with hydrochemical parameters, while archaeal communities exhibited temporal stability. Functional gene profiles mirrored bacterial patterns, emphasizing the influence of environmental gradients on metabolic potential. No significant temporal changes were detected across two sampling campaigns (2016–2023), highlighting the resilience of these aquifers. This work establishes a valuable baseline for understanding pristine groundwater microbiomes and informs future monitoring and water quality management strategies. pristine karst aquifers groundwater microbiome whole-metagenome sequencing microbial diversity functional gene profiles hydrogeochemistry carbonate weathering drinking water quality ecological resilience sustainable groundwater management mikrobiologija olipotrofni vodni izviri kras mikrobiom kemijska sestava Slovenija true false true Angleški jezik Slovenski jezik Članek v reviji 2025-08-18 09:10:58 2025-08-18 09:11:01 2026-01-06 08:18:39 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2025 0 0 25 str. issue 16, [article no.] 2402 Vol. 17 14 Aug. 2025 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno NiDoloceno 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 2025-08-14 579 2073-4441 10.3390/w17162402 245738243 RAZ_Likar_Mojca_2025.pdf RAZ_Likar_Mojca_2025.pdf 1 445C42A0E13CA04214499EA55422D3E1 80a34b3e9983c9cb95d49a382f3562593363e6f1f00d91b74231a9a44a9d7423 6bd8359d-d991-11f0-9328-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=223699 https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/17/16/2402 0 e257d3a0-eacf-11f0-bf92-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=224988 Biotehniška fakulteta 0 0 0