The project studies the process of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) precipitation, with a special emphasis on the formation of tufa in karst freshwater systems, such as those at the Plitvice Lakes. The goal is to develop a laboratory model that faithfully mimics natural karst water in terms of chemical composition, in order to analyze the effect of natural and anthropogenic inhibitors on CaCO₃ precipitation under controlled conditions. Tufa, as a specific form of CaCO₃, is formed under conditions of high supersaturation and elevated pH due to CO₂ release, especially in areas of intense water spray. Its formation is influenced by numerous factors: temperature, pH, supersaturation, organic additives (humic and fulvic acids), phosphates, polyphosphates, and magnesium. The project will create artificial karst water, and CaCO₃ sedimentation will be observed in the presence of different concentrations of inhibitors and at different temperatures (10°C, 20°C, 25°C) in order to simulate seasonal and climatic conditions. The sediments will be analyzed using FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV-Vis and ion chromatography to quantify the incorporated additives. The project is of great scientific and environmental significance as it will enable a detailed understanding of the impact of pollutants on the formation of tufa, which is crucial for the preservation of the aquatic ecosystems of the Plitvice Lakes and similar karst areas, as well as for monitoring the consequences of climate change and human activities on geochemical processes in nature.