• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.46 no.3
• /
• pp.257-266
• /
• 2013

The geology of Sinaola state consists of Precambrian metamorphic rocks(Sonobari Complex), two Paleozoic units(lower non-differentiated metamorphic rocks and upper Carboniferous sedimentary rocks), five Mesozoic units(metavolcanic, clastic, and calcareous rocks), Cenozoic volcanic rocks, and Quaternary clastic sediments and volcanic flows. The Sinaola state is potentially rich in metallic mineral resources with lower degree of non-metallic mineral resources. They are related to a variety of geological environments and are mainly physiographically located on the Sierra Madre Occidental. Mainly known mineral deposits are of gold and silver followed by zinc, lead, copper and some iron. The state also has deposits of molybdenum, tungsten and bismuth that have been occasionally exploited. There is a reference of nickel and cobalt mineralization, but these deposits have been exploited only at a small scale.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.243-264
• /
• 1986

This work is a metallogeny on gold-silver deposits in South Korea based on the close examination of the author's own data and a broad review of existing literature available. The metallogenic epochs in Korea are temporarily connected with the history of tectonism and igneous activities, and are identified as the Precambrian, Paleozoic, Jurassic to early Cretaceous, late Cretaceous to early Tertiary, and Quaternary epochs, whereas the metallogenic provinces are spatially associated with some of the felsic to intermediate igneous rocks, lacking mineralization related to basic and ultrabasic rocks. The metallogeny on the gold-silver deposits is mostly related to the granitic rocks intrusives. Epigenetic gold-silver mineralization in South Korea ranges in metallogenic epochs from Precambrian through Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous to Eocene (?), in genetic types from hypothermal through mesothermal and epithermal quartz-sulfide veins to volcanogenic stockworks, with some disseminated types. Reporting on metallic association from gold without silver, gold-silver, silver-gold, silver without gold, and gold or silver as a by-product from other metallic ores. The most representative genetic types and metal associations of gold-silver deposits are hydrothermal quartz veins associated with the Daebo and Bulgugsa granitic magmatism. The most closely associated paragenetic metallic minerals in gold-silver hydrothermal quartz-sulfide vein type deposits are: copper, lead, zinc, pyrite and arsenopyrite. More than 560 gold-silver mines are plotted in the distribution map grouped within the 10 different metallogenic provinces of South Korea. Specific mineralizations with related mineral association in both sulfides and gangues observed selected from 18 Korean and 8 Japanese Au-Ag deposits. The 7 selected individual gold-silver mines representing specific mineralization types are described in this report.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.211-237
• /
• 2000

Major element zoning has been analyzed in garnet porphroblasts obtained from the Grt-St and Ky-Grt-St grade assemblages in Zones I on the northern flank of the Pelham Dome, north central Massachusetts. These porphyroblasts grew during multiple phases of deformation and meta-morphism revealed by the inclusion trail geometry plus the chemical zoning patterns within garnet porphyroblasts. Unusual zoning patterns, including zoning reversals and gradient changes in XMn, zlgzag patterns in Fe/(Fe +Mg) and staircase-shaped patterns in XCa, are coincident with textural truncations and other changes in microstructure within the garnet porphrublasts. Chemical variations in plagioclase, biotite, muscovite and staurolite combined with inclusion trail geometry and petrography reveal that the garnet zoning patterns are modified by combinations of the following. (1) Uni-and divariant reactions involving garnet consumption(Grt+ Chl+Ms=St+Bt+Qtz + $H_2$O) and production(St+Ms + Qtz= Bt+ Grt +A1$_2$$SiO_{5}$ + $H_2$O). (2) Deformation induced episudic ionit dissolution, preferential diffusion and re-distribution during foliation development. (3) P-T changes during growth of the porphyroblasts. The P-T paths combined with petrographic and inclusion trail morphology observations consist of two pattens; (1) heating/compression during NW-SE shortening; and (2) decompression with cooling during NNW-SSE shortening. Based on temperature-time(T-t) geochronological data and late-Paleozoic tectonic model, Alleghanian metamorphism, which is the result of heterogeneous shearing concentrated along the boundary between the Abalone Terrane(Pelham dome) and cover rocks(Bronson Hill Terrane), has produced Ky-St-Ms mineral assemblage during Pennsylvanian(290-300 Ma) in Shutesbury area. However, temperature of alleghanian metamorphism was not high enough to form garnet and staurolite in the Northfiled syncline area. Alleghanian metamorphism has affected only the matrix due to heterogeneous shearing in the study area.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.223-234
• /
• 2019

The geology of the Samdeok Mo deposit consists of Paleozoic Hwajeonri formation, Kowoonri formation, Suchangri formation, Iwonri formation, Hwanggangri formation, Cretaceous, leucocratic porphyritic granite and granitic porphyry. This deposit consists of three quartz veins that filled NS oriented fractured zones in Suchangri formation. Quartz veins vary from 0.05 m to 0.3 m in thickness and extend to about 400 m in strike length. Quartz veins occur as massive, breccia, and cavity textures. Wallrock alteration has silicification, sericitization, argillitization and chloritization. The mineralogy of the quartz veins consists of quartz, fluorite, white mica, biotite, apatite, monazite, rutile, ilmenite, molybdenite, chalcopyrite, Fe-Mg-Mn oxide and Fe oxide. White mica from Samdeok Mo deposit occurs as fine or coarse grains in quartz vein and hostrock and has four mineral assemblages (I type: quartz, molybdenite, Fe oxide and Fe-Mg-Mn oxide, II type: quartz, Fe oxide and Fe-Mg-Mn oxide, III type: quartz and biotite, and IV type: quartz). The structural formular of white mica from quartz vein is $(K_{0.89-0.60}Na_{0.05-0.00}Ca_{0.01-0.00}Sr_{0.02-0.00})_{0.94-0.62}(Al_{1.54-1.12}Mg_{0.36-0.18}Fe_{0.26-0.09}Mn_{0.04-0.00}Ti_{0.02-0.00}Cr_{0.02-0.00}Zn_{0.01-0.00})_{1.91-1.72}(Si_{3.40-3.11}Al_{0.92-0.60})_{4.00}O_{10}(OH_{1.68-1.42}F_{0.58-0.32})_{2.00}$, but white mica of I type has higher FeO content, and lower $SiO_2$ and MgO contents than white micas of other types. Also, compositional variations in white mica from the Samdeok Mo deposit are caused by phengitic or Tschermark substitution ($(Al^{3+})^{VI}+(Al^{3+})^{IV}{\leftrightarrow}(Fe^{2+}{\text{ or }}Mg^{2+})^{VI}+(Si^{4+})^{IV}$) and direct $(Fe^{3+})^{VI}{\leftrightarrow}(Al^{3+})^{VI}$ substitution.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
• /
• v.48 no.4
• /
• pp.249-259
• /
• 2018

$Iso{\ddot{e}}tes$ L. ($Iso{\ddot{e}}taceae$) is a cosmopolitan genus of heterosporous lycopods containing ca. 200 species being found in lakes, streams, and wetlands of terrestrial habitats. Despite its ancient origin, worldwide distribution, and adaptation to diverse environment, species in $Iso{\ddot{e}}tes$ show remarkable morphological simplicity and convergence. Allopolyploidy appears to be a significant speciation process in the genus. These characteristics have made it difficult to assess the phylogenetic relationships and biogeographic history of $Iso{\ddot{e}}tes$ species. In recent years, these difficulties have somewhat been reduced by employing multiple molecular markers. Here, we reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships in East Asian $Iso{\ddot{e}}tes$ species. We also provide their divergence time and biogeographic origin using a fossil calibrated chronogram. East Asian $Iso{\ddot{e}}tes$ species are divided into two clades: I. asiatica and the remaining species. $Iso{\ddot{e}}tes$ asiatica from Hokkaido forms a clade with northeastern Russian and western North American $Iso{\ddot{e}}tes$ species. In clade I, western North America is the source area for the dispersal of $Iso{\ddot{e}}tes$ to Hokkaido and northeastern Russia via the Bering land bridge during the late Miocene. The remaining $Iso{\ddot{e}}tes$ species (I. sinensis, I. yunguiensis, I. hypsophila, I. orientalis, I. japonica, I. coreana, I. taiwanensis, I. jejuensis, I. hallasanensis) from East Asia form a sister group to Papua New Guinean and Australian species. The biogeographic reconstruction suggests an Australian origin for the East Asian species that arose through long-distance dispersal during the late Oligocene.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.57 no.3
• /
• pp.281-292
• /
• 2024

North Korea relies heavily on coal as the primary energy source, playing an important role in all energy demand sectors except for the transportation sector. Approximately half of the total electricity is generated through coal-fired power plants, and coal is used to produce heat and power for all industrial facilities. Furthermore, coal has been a significant contributor to earning foreign currency through long-term exports to China. Nevertheless, since the 1980s, indiscriminate mining activities have led to rapid depletion of coal production in most coal mines. Aging mine facilities, lack of investment in new equipment, shortages of fuel and electricity, difficulties in material supply, and frequent damage from flooding have collectively contributed to a noticeable decline in coal production since the late 1980s. North Korea's coal deposits are distributed in various geological formations from the Proterozoic to the Cenozoic, but the most critical coal-bearing formations are Ripsok and Sadong formations distributed in the Pyeongnam Basin of the Late Paleozoic from Carboniferous to Permian, which are called as Pyeongnam North and South Coal Fields. Over 90% of North Korea's coal is produced in these coal fields. The classification of coal in North Korea differs from the international classification based on coalification (peat, lignite, sub-bituminous coal, bituminous coal, and anthracite). North Korean classification based on industrial aspect is classified into bituminous coal, anthracite, and low-grade coal (Chomuyeontan). Based on the energy factor, it is classified into high-calorie coal, medium calorie coal, and low-calorie coal. In North Korea, the term "Chomuyeontan" refers to a type of coal that is not classified globally and is unique to North Korea. It is a low-grade coal exclusively used in North Korea and is not found or used in any other country worldwide. This article compares North Korea's coal classification and the international coal classification of coal and provides insights into the geological characteristics, reserves, utilization, and research trends of North Korean coal resources. This study could serve as a guide for preparing scientific and industrial agendas related to coal collaboration between North Korea and South Korea.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
• /
• v.47 no.2
• /
• pp.46-67
• /
• 2014

The Dinosaur track-bearing deposits recently found at Bangudae Petroglyph site in Ulju (National Treasure No. 285) have been studied in the aspects of sedimentology, paleoenvironments, and significance in natural history. The dinosaur tracks occur in the Daegu Formation (late Early Cretaceous), and over 80 footprints including 43 ornithopod footprints, 36 sauropod footprints, and 2 theropod footprints are preserved in this tracksite. The track-bearing deposits consist of irregularly interlaminated siltstone and mudstone, calcareous sandy to silty mudstone, thin-bedded tuffaceous sandstone, planar- to cross-laminated sandstone, and thin- to medium-bedded graded sandstone, and they are interpreted to be sheetflood deposits on an alluvial plain. Diverse types of ripples and mudcracks, rainprints, and invertebrate trace fossils are observed in these deposits, and the crest-lines of wave ripples do not show preferred orientation. Dinosaur footprints occur as true prints, underprints, overtracks, and casts on the bedding surfaces, and the orientation of trackways are scattered. It is interpreted that paleoclimatic condition of the track-bearing deposits were semiarid with alternation of wetting and drying periods, and that dinosaurs frequented small and shallow ponds during wetting periods and recorded their tracks on an alluvial plain. The frequent occurrence of dinosaur tracks in study area indicates that the Cretaceous deposits around Daegokcheon Stream are very useful sedimentological and paleontological records to understand the paleoecology and paleoenvironments during the dinosaur age in Korean Peninsula. Consequently the dinosaur track-bearing deposits around Daegokcheon Stream should be further studied in sedimentary geology and paleontology in order to enhance cultural heritage value of the Petroglyphs of Bangudae Terrace as the World Heritage.

• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.142-154
• /
• 2010

The protein-bound innerpolysaccharides (IPS) produced by suspended mycelial cultures of Inonotus obliquus have promising potentials as an effective antidiabetic as well as an immunostimulating agents. To enhance IPS production, intensive strain improvement process should be carried out using large amount of UV-mutated protoplasts. During the whole strain-screening process, the stage of solid growth-culture was found to be the most time-requiring step, thus preventing rapid screening of high-yielding producers. In order to reduce the cell growth period in the solid growth-stage, therefore, solid growth-medium was optimized using the statistical methods such as (i) Plackett-Burman and fractional factorial designs (FFD) for selecting positive medium components, and (ii) steepest ascent (SAM) and response surface (RSM) methods for determining optimum concentrations of the selected components. By adopting the medium composition recommended by the SAM experiment, significantly higher growth rate was obtained in the solid growth-cultures, as represented by about 41% larger diameter of the cell growth circle and higher mycelial density. Sequential optimization process performed using the RSM experiments finally recommended the medium composition as follows: glucose 25.61g/L, brown rice 12.53 g/L, soytone peptone 12.53 g/L, $MgSO_4$ 5.53 g/L, and agar 20 g/L. It should be noted that this composition was almost similar to the medium combinations determined by the SAM experiment, demonstrating that the SAM was very helpful in finding out the final optimum concentrations. Through the use of this optimized medium, the period for the solid growth-culture could be successfully reduced to about 8 days from the previous 15~20 days, thus enabling large and mass screening of high producers in a relatively short period.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.49 no.5
• /
• pp.349-360
• /
• 2016

This study determined mineralogical characteristics and discussed the meaning of mineralogical changes of the lower Choseon Supergrouop in the Weondong area based on the field geological investigation and the drilling core description using X-ray diffraction (XRD) mineral quantification and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) observation. 100 samples with depth were collected from the core (250 m long) at a site in the study area. Especially, to investigate the changes from the upper Daegi Formation to the lower Hwajeol Formation, the samples were collected closely with the interval of about 0.3 m at this section. All samples were made into power using mortar for XRD. Mineral quantitative analysis was executed using Relative Intensity Ratio (RIR) method with corundum as an internal standard phase. Calcite, $2M_1$ illite and quartz are main constituents in most of samples. Dolomite and siderite are significantly observed in the Sesong Formation. As the results of quantitative analysis for the major minerals, the upper Daegi Formation is dominated by calcite with over 80%. The Sesong Formation includes high percentage of dolomite and siderite with the intercalation of thin layers containing high calcite and $2M_1$ illite contents. Hwajeol Formation is characterized by the alternation between thin layers of $2M_1$ illite and quartz-dominated layer (IQDL) and calcite-dominated layer (CDL). IQDL is more frequent in the lower part, whereas CDL is more common in the upper part. The boundary between Daegi Formation and the Sesong Formation is distinct, whereas the boundary between the Sesong Formation and the Hwajeol Formation tends to be changed gradually in mineralogy. The result of SEM observation shows that quartz and $2M_1$ illite are detrital, and a significant amount of calcite also shows detrital form with some recrystallized one, indicating that the repeated influx of terrestrial materials had changed the mineralogy of the shallow sea depositional environment in the early Paleozoic era.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.51 no.4
• /
• pp.309-322
• /
• 2018

Naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) occurs in rocks and soils as a result of natural weathering and human activities. It is proved that inhalation of asbestos fibers can lead to increase risk of developing several diseases such as lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma. The parent rocks of asbestos have been mainly associated with (ultra)mafic and carbonate rock. The previous studies on NOA were mainly limited to (ultra)mafic rock-hosted asbestos, but studies on carbonate rock-hosted asbestos are relatively rare in S. Korea. Therefore, this study was aimed to examine mineralogical characteristics of carbonate rock-hosted NOA at three sites including Muju and Jangsu, Jeonbuk province and Asan, Chungnam province. Types of rocks at the three sites mainly consisted of Precambrian metasedimentary rocks, carbonate rock, and Cretaceous and Jurassic granites. Asbestos-containing carbonate rock samples were obtained for mineralogical characterization. XRD, PLM, EPMA, SEM and EDS analyses were used to characterize mineralogical characteristics of the carbonate rock-hosted NOA. From the carbonate rock, fibrous minerals were occurred acicular and columnar forms in the three sites. Fibrous minerals were composed of mainly tremolite and associated minerals included possibly asbestos containing materials (ACM) such as talc, vermiculite, and sepiolite. The length and aspect ratios of tremolite were similar to the standard asbestiform (length >$5{\mu}m$, length:width = 3:1). These results indicate that both non-asbestiform and asbestiform tremolite with acicular forms occurred in carbonate rocks at three sites. Geological and geochemical characteristics and mineral assemblages indicate tremolite and associated minerals might be formed by hydrothermal alternation and/or hydrothermal veins of carbonate rocks due to intrusion of acidic igneous rocks.