The petrified river and the biogeochemical processes that generate this unusual occurence in the karst of the Pădurea Craiului Mountains

Abstract

The petrifying springs with tufa formation are a very rare habitat in Romania, protected under EC Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), Annex 1: H7220 Petrifying springs with tufa formation. The Petrified River with the two petrifying springs represent a unique occurrence for the Pădurea Craiului Mountains, which recently gained the protected natural area status of county interest

Keywords

• petrifying springs
• petrified river
• tufa
• padurea craiului mountains
• water chemistry
• microbial content
• meiofauna