Sub-recent microfauna within allogenic sediments at the bottom of a deep cave, Njemica (Biokovo Mt., Croatia)

Abstract

Clastic sediments deposited at the bottom of the vertical, nearly 1000 m deep Njemica Cave (Biokovo Mountain, Croatia) were analysed. Owing to the vertical morphology of the cave, the occurrences of clastic sediments are sparse. Small, up to decimetre-thick, undisturbed sediment accumulations situated near the siphon lake revealed interesting palaeontological and mineralogical data. These data are used as a useful proxy for discussing depositional processes, the provenance of the sediments and paleo-habitats of the subterranean fauna. The sub-recent assemblages of ostracods were discovered within the sediment, and they were shown to be correlative to the known endemic species in the wider Dinaric Karst area (Pseudocypridopsis sywulai and Phreatocandona cf. motasi). The well-preserved sediment archive indicates the allogenic origin of the sediment and defines it as an allochthonous infiltrate of the Quaternary. The detritus originates from Pleistocene–Holocene deposits in the surrounding area, whose composition was influenced by volcanic activity in the wide Adriatic region. Sedimentation occurred in a calm aquatic environment by settling from suspension. Therefore the sediments are defined as slackwater deposits.