• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.469-489
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• 2000

The hydrogeochemical and isotopic studies on deep groundwater (below a 550 m depth from the ground surface) in the Munkyeong area, Kyeongbuk province were carried out. Two types of deep groundwater (${CO_2}$-rich groundwater and alkali groundwater) occur together in the Munkywong area. ${CO_2}$-rich groundwater (Ca-${HCO_3}$ type) is characterized by low pH (5.8~6.5) and high TDS (up to 2,682 mg/L.), while alkali groundwater (Na-${HCO_3}$ type) shows a high pH (9.1~10.4) and relatively low TDS (72~116 mg/L). ${CO_2}$-rich water may have evolved by ${CO_2}$ added at depth during groundwater circulation. This process leads to the dissolution of surrounding rocks and Ca, Na, Mg, K and ${HCO_3}$ concentrations are eniched. The low $Pco_2$ ($10^{-6.4}$atm) of alkali groundwaters seems to result from the dissolution of silicate minerals without a supply of ${CO_2}$. The ${\delta}^{18}O$ and ${\delta}^D$values and tritium data indicate that two types of deep groundwater were both derived from pre-thermonuclear meteoric water and have evolved through prolonged water-rock interaction. The carbon isotope data show that dissolved carbon in the ${CO_2}$-rich water was possibly derived from deep-seated ${CO_2}$ gas, although further studies are needed. The ${\delta}^{34}S$ values of dissolved sulfate show that sulfate reduction occurred at great depths. The application of various chemical geothermometers on ${CO_2}$-rich groundwater shows that the calculated deep reservoir temperature is about 130~$l75^{\circ}C$. Based on the geological setting, water chemistry and environmental isotope data, each of the two types of deep groundwater represent distinct hydrologic and hydrogeochemical evolution at depth and their movement is controlled by the local fracture system.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.491-504
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• 2000

Environmental isotope $^{18}O$, $^{2}H$, $^{3}H$,$^{13}C$, $^{34}S$and $^{87}Sr/^{86}Sr$) studies on ${CO_2}$-rich waters in the Kangwon Province were carried out to elucidate the origin, residence time, water-rock interaction and mixing process of their. ${\delta}^{18}O$ and ${\delta}D$ data indicate that ${CO_2}$-rich waters were derived from the local meteoric water. It also shows that each type of ${CO_2}$-rich water has distinct isotopic composition and Na-${HCO_3}$ type water (-10.8 to -12.1${\textperthousand}$, ${\delta}^{18}O$ ) is lighter than other type waters. These depleted isotopic values supposedly indicate that, considering the altitude effect of isotope in Korea, the recharge area of Na-${HCO_3}$ type water can be estimated to be relatively higher in elevation than those of Ca-${HCO_3}$ and Ca-Na-${HCO_3}$ type waters. Tritium contents close to zero are observed in the Na-${HCO_3}$ type water, confirming a long residence time and the possibility of a ${CO_2}$ inflow into the aquifer at great depth. These isotope data also show that the Ca-${HCO_3}$ type water has undergone mixing process with surface water during ascending at depth, whereas Na-${HCO_3}$ type water was less mixed with surface waters. The carbon isotope data (-8.8 to ＋0.8 ${\textperthousand}$ ${\delta}^{13}C$) indicate that dissolved carbon in the ${CO_2}$-rich waters was possibly derived from deep seated ${CO_2}$ gas. The high ${\delta}^{34}S$ values (up to 38.1${\textperthousand}$) of dissolved sulfates suggest that sulfate reduction by microbial activity had occurred at depth. Strontium isotopic data ($^{87}Sr/^{86}Sr$) of ${CO_2}$-rich waters indicate that the chemistry of the ${CO_2}$-rich waters is determined by water-rock (granite) interaction.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.501-511
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• 2017

Natural radionuclides such as uranium and radon from 170 groundwater wells in Jeonnam Province were investigated, together with hydrogeochemical properties, and concentration maps of uranium and radon were also constructed in this study. Characteristics of their concentrations and occurrence were discussed using hydrogeochemical factors and geostatistical methods based on individual geological units. Though uranium and radon in groundwater show a wide range in the concentration, most of which occur as low levels except a few sites. Based on factor analysis, correlation coefficients between uranium and radon are very low. Such results verify that these radionuclides behave independently, well consistent with most previous results investigated nationwide in groundwater. Besides uranium and radon, most hydrochemical components in groundwater show a close relation to indicate the water-rock interaction taken place actively in aquifer.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.189-197
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• 2012

Geochemical composition of fracture filling minerals and groundwater was investigated to characterize geochemical characteristics of groundwater system at the KURT site. Minerals such as calcite, illite, laumontite, chlorite, epidote, montmorillonite, and kaolinite, as well as I/S mixed layer minerals were detected in the minerals extracted from the fracture surfaces of the core samples. The groundwater from the DB-1, YS-1 and YS-4 boreholes showed alkaline conditions with pH of higher than 8. The electrical conductivity (EC) values of the groundwater samples were around $200{\mu}S/cm$, except for the YS-1 borehole. Dissolved oxygen was almost zero in the DB-1 borehole indicating highly reduced conditions. The Cl- concentration was estimated around 5 mg/L and showed homogeneous distribution along depths at the KURT site. It might indicate the mixing between shallow groundwater and deep groundwater. The shallow groundwater from boreholes showed $Ca-HCO_3$ type, whereas deep groundwater below 300 m from the surface indicated $Na-HCO_3$ type. The isotopic values observed in the groundwater ranged from -10.4 to -8.2‰ for ${\delta}^{18}O$ and from -71.3 to -55.0‰for ${\delta}D$. In addition, the isotope-depleted water contained higher fluoride concentration. The oxygen and hydrogen isotopic values of deep groundwater were more depleted compared to the shallow groundwater. The results from age dating analysis using $^{14}C$ indicated relatively younger (2000~6000yr old) groundwater compared to other european granitic groundwaters such as Stripa (Sweden).

• Journal of Korea Soil Environment Society
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.93-107
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• 1998

Because of its stable quantity and quality, groundwater has long been a reliable source of drinking water for domestic users. Rapid economic growth and rising standards of living have in recent years put severe demands on drinking water supplies in Korea. Groundwaters that are currently being used for natural mineral water were hydrochemically evaluated and investigated in order to maintain their quality to satisfy strict health standards. There exist 15 natural mineral water plants in the Okcheon metamorphic belt. Characteristics of groundwaters are different from those of other areas in that electrical conductivity, hardness, contents of Ca, Mg and $HCO_3$are relatively high. The content of major cations is in the order of Ca>Mg, Na>K, whereas that of major anions shows the order of $HCO_3$>$SO_4$>Cl>F. The fact that the Ca-Mg-HCO$_3$type is mostly predominant among water types reflects that dissolution of carbonates that are abundantly present in the metamorphic rocks plays an important part in groundwater chemistry. Representative correlation coefficients between chemical species show Mg-$HCO_3$(0.92), Ca-$HCO_3$(0.88), Ca-Mg(0.80), Ca-Cl(0.78), Mg-$SO_4$(0.78), Ca-$SO_4$(0.71), possibly due to the effect by dissolution of carbonates, gypsum or anhydrite. Determinative coefficients between some chemical species represent a good relationship, especially for EC-(K+Na+Ca), Ca-$HCO_3$, Ca-Mg, indiacting that they are similar in chemical behaviors. According to saturation index, most chemical species are undersaturated with respect to major minerals, except for some silica phases. Groundwater is slightly undersaturated with respect to calcite and dolomite, whereas it is still greatly undersaturated with respect to gypsum, anhydrite and fluorite, Based on the Phase equilibrium in the systems $NA_2$O-$Al_2$$O_3$-$SiO_2$-$H_2$O and $K_2$O-$Al_2$$O_3$-$SiO_2$-$H_2$O, it is clear that groundwater is in equilibrium with kaolinite, evolved from the stability area of gibbsite during water-rock interaction. It is expected that chemical evolution of groundwater continue to proceed with increasing pH by reaction of feldspars, with calcite much less reactive.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.115-132
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• 2002

To distinguish the anthropogenic inputs from the chemical weathering with water-rock interaction on the chemical compositons of groundwater in Kwangju city, four different water groups were established based on the landuse type, lithology and topology. The sample from greenbelt area belongs to Group Ⅰ, whereas those from green buffer zone, urban area and industrial area belong to Group II, Group Ⅲ and Group Ⅳ, respectively. The geology of this city mainly consists of biotite granite and granitic gneiss. The concentration of main cations is subject to the behavior of feldspars, micas and carbonate minerals. Cl$\^$-/ and NO$_3$$\^$-/ are supplied by anthropogenic inputs such as domestic sewage whose concentration of these anions is highest in the Group Ⅲ samples. With the Piper diagram, the groundwaters of Group Ⅲ are mainly plotted in CaSO$_4$-CaCl$_2$ type, whereas those of other groups are plotted in Ca(HCO$_3$)$_2$ type, The calculation for the activities of ions and saturation indices of some minerals shows that most of the minerals are undersaturated and plotted in the area of equlibrium with kaolinite. Three factors were extracted from the factor analysis for chemical data. Factor 1 controlled by HCO$_3$$\^$-/, Ca$\^$2-/, SO$_4$$\^$2-/, Mg$\^$2+/ and Na$\^$+/, explains the dissolution of carbonate minerals. mica and plagioclase. Factor 2, controlled by Cl$\^$-/ and NO$_3$$\^$-/, explains the influence of artificial pollution. Factor 3, controlled by Mn, Fe and Zn is subject to the industrial waste water, but the evidence is not clear. Factor 1 is dominant in the Group I and II, indicating that those samples are subjected to natural chemical weathering, The higher scores of factor 2 in the Group Ⅲ samples indicate the potential artificial pollution.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.469-483
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• 2020

The results of long-term groundwater level and quality monitoring can be used not only as the basic data for evaluating the impact of various disasters including climate change and establishing responses, but also as key data for predicting and managing geological disasters such as earthquakes. Some countries use groundwater level and quality monitoring for researches to predict earthquakes and to assess the impacts of the earthquake disaster. However, a few cases in Korea report on individual groundwater quality factors (i.e., dissolved ions) observed before and after the earthquakes, being different from other countries. To establish the abnormality criteria for groundwater quality in Pohang, groundwater samples were collected and analyzed five times from 14 agricultural or private wells existing in Shingwang-myeon and Heunghae-eup. As a result of the analysis, it was found that Ca2+ was the dominant cation in Shingwang-myeon, while Na+ was the dominant cation in Heunghae-eup. The elevated NO3- concentration in Shingwang-myeon is contributed to the agricultural activity in the area. A high concentration of Fe was detected in a well on Heunghae-eup; the concentration exceeded the drinking water standard by nearly 100 times. Relatively higher dissolved ions were observed in the groundwater of Heunghae-eup, and it is considered as the result of the flow velocity difference and water-rock reaction accompanying the difference in bedrock and sediment characteristics. The groundwater of Shingwang-myeon appeared to be most affected by the weathering of granite and silicates, while that of Heunghae-eup was mainly affected by the weathering of silicates and carbonate. The background concentrations (baselines) of groundwater Shingwang-myeon and Heunghae-eup was identified through the survey; however, the continuous monitoring is required to monitor the possible changes and the repeatability of seasonal variation.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.729-744
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• 2023

The value of lithium has significantly increased due to the rising demand for electric cars and batteries. Lithium is primarily found in pegmatites, hydrothermally altered tuffaceous clays, and continental brines. Globally, groundwater-fed salt lakes and oil field brines are attracting attention as major sources of lithium in continental brines, accounting for about 70% of global lithium production. Recently, deep groundwater, especially geothermal water, is also studied for a potential source of lithium. Lithium concentrations in deep groundwater can increase through substantial water-rock reaction and mixing with brines. For the exploration of lithim in deep groundwater, it is important to understand its origin and behavior. Therefore, based on a nationwide preliminary study on the hydrogeochemical characteristics and evolution of thermal groundwater in South Korea, this study aims to investigate the distribution of lithium in the deep groundwater environment and understand the geochemical factors that affect its concentration. A total of 555 thermal groundwater samples were classified into five hydrochemical types showing distinct hydrogeochemical evolution. To investigate the enrichment mechanism, samples (n = 56) with lithium concentrations exceeding the 90th percentile (0.94 mg/L) were studied in detail. Lithium concentrations varied depending upon the type, with Na(Ca)-Cl type being the highest, followed by Ca(Na)-SO₄ type and low-pH Ca(Na)-HCO₃ type. In the Ca(Na)-Cl type, lithium enrichment is due to reverse cation exchange due to seawater intrusion. The enrichment of dissolved lithium in the Ca(Na)-SO₄ type groundwater occurring in Cretaceous volcanic sedimentary basins is related to the occurrence of hydrothermally altered clay minerals and volcanic activities, while enriched lithium in the low-pH Ca(Na)-HCO₃ type groundwater is due to enhanced weathering of basement rocks by ascending deep CO₂. This reconnaissance geochemical study provides valuable insights into hydrogeochemical evolution and economic lithium exploration in deep geologic environments.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.131-141
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• 2012

The guano formed from the bat excrement in a cave contains various sulfate and phosphate minerals formed from the reaction of bat excrement with surrounding rocks and clastic minerals. Therefore, the mineral compositions in the guano provide basic informations on the geochemical environments affecting mineral formation in a cave. This study was conducted to study the mineral compositions of guano and the factors affecting those compositions by comparing mineralogical and chemical compositions in three different limestone caves in Korea. The guano samples in Gossi Cave contain detrital minerals such as illite, quartz and feldspar and relatively large amount of gypsum. The contents of gypsum increase with increasing depth, which is different from the samples collected in other caves. The samples collected from Baekryong Cave have the similar mineral compositions to those in Gossi Cave, but they also contain additional kaolinite and very small amount of gypsum. The samples in Sungryu Cave have similar mineralogical compositions to those in Gossi Cave, but contian bassanite instead of gypsum. The mineralogical compositions are well correlated with the chemical compositions of guano. The mineral compositions indicate that, in Gossi Cave, the minerals were formed by the reaction of large amount of bat excrement with surrounding rocks in high humidity condition or in the condition of frequent floods. In the case of Sungryu Cave, bassanite which can be formed in a dry condition indicates that minerals were formed in a relatively low humidity condition.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.473-484
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• 2015

Geophysical exploration using electric resistivity, ground penetrating radar (GPR), and impedance high-frequency (ZHF) surveys was conducted in Gujwa-eup, Jeju City, Jeju Island, an island in the Korea Strait, to confirm the existence of new caves near known caves. The exploration revealed a number of anomaly zones, presumed to be caves; 27 sites at suitable locations and depth ranges were selected for drilling and further surveys. However, contrary to predictions, most of the anomaly zones were clinker layers or paleosols intercalated with lavas. Only five boreholes intersected caves. The clinker layers and paleosols were possibly detected as anomalies owing to their different physical properties from the other rocks. Two of the five cave-finding boreholes penetrated Yongcheon Cave; a new cave was found at the other. The two boreholes that penetrated Yongcheon Cave were drilled in areas where the cave has not been previously reported, and thus helped correct an error in the cave distribution map. The cave newly discovered in this boring exploration is 180 m long, and it is connected to the upstream part of Dangcheomul Cave (110 m). The cave contains well-developed lava helictites, lava levees, and ropy structures; carbonate speleothems such as soda straws, stalagmites, columns, and curtain shawls are also well preserved. Notably, the unique shape of the carbonate speleothems is attributed to their growth in relation to the cavern water that flowed into the cave along plant roots.