Water flow and geochemical processes within the unsaturated zone (UZ) in two distinct types of karst environment were investigated using natural tracers (chemistry, stable isotopes 13 C, 18 O, 2 H, and 3 H, 14 C, 87 Sr/86 Sr). The extent of horizontal flow component and the response of drip water chemistry to recharge events were examined in the Moravian Karst (Czech Republic), while the character of water flow and its chemistry were studied in salt diapirs in southeastern part of the Zagros mountains (Iran). Under the conditions of well-developed epikarst, the horizontal flow component, defined as Hmax/T (Hmax = horizontal migration component, T - thickness of VZ) typically reaches values of 0.1 - 0.6 (Moravian and Slovenian Karst). However, in areas where epikarst was stripped off by glacial or human activity, the proportion of horizontal flow component is far greater (Hmax/T 1.6 - 24). This parameter is vital for the design of water source protection zones above caves. Nitrate mean residence time in 120 m thick VZ of the Moravian karst exceeded 16 years. The VZ above the Ochoz Cave (Moravian Karst) represents a semi-open to open system with respect to soil CO2. Under a high drip rate (high flow), the event water only made 5% of the total. During the year, water degassing and so called prior...