• The Korean Journal of Petroleum Geology
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.12-20
• /
• 2008

Oil sands in Canada are representative example of unconventional resources whose reserve estimates are as large as those in Saudi Arabia. Typical reservoir rocks of oil sands consist of channel-related deposits formed in a tide-dominated depositional setting. The tidal deposits are commonly characterized by spatially complicated and heterogeneous properties. Successful engineering methods to develop oil sands require in-depth understanding in the spatial distribution of reservoir properties. Geological model for oil sand reservoir characterization can be built on the basis of comparative studies of ancient and modem analogues. In particular, modern analogue studies become increasingly indispensable, since they provide better understanding in the reservoir-rock forming process and more importantly in the external mechanism responsible for the reservoir heterogeneity. Tide-dominated environment along the west coast of Korea is considered as one of the most excellent modem analogues of oil-sand forming depositional environment. Korean tidal environment provides insights on the origin of mud breccia, facies and stratigraphic architecture which are key issues to the characterization of oil sand reservoirs.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.336-347
• /
• 1985

Soils and rice plants subject to smoke from the Jang-hang Smelter were samples at two depths to assess the nature and extend of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn contamination, particularly with respect to distance from pollution source. Soils at east site within 1km of the center of the smelter were highly contaminated with Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn. Metal levels in the smoke-polluted area were higher in surface soil than in subsurface soil, and decreased rapidly with distance reaching nearly background levels at 5km from pollution source. A position correlation was found between contents of total and 0.1 N HCl-extractable, or 1.0N $CH_3COONH_4$- extractable heavy metals in surface soils of pollution. Contents of heavy metals in soils were positively correlated with soil organic matter and cation exchange capacity. The contents of heavy metals in brown rice collected from the paddy field around the Jang-hang Smelter were in the range of 0.23-1.33 ppm for Cd, 2.39-6.25 for Cu, 0.95-8.32 ppm for Pb and 14.60-27.31 for Zn. The contents of Cd, Cu, and Zn in rice straw were positively correlated with those in the brown rice. Negative correlation was found between the contents of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in brown rice and the distance from the source.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
• /
• v.37 no.5_1
• /
• pp.1111-1124
• /
• 2021

Mudflats are crucial for understanding the ecological structure and biological function of coastal ecosystem because of its high primary production by microalgae. There have been many studies on measuring primary productivity of tidal flats for the estimation of organic carbon abundance, but it is relatively recent that optical remote sensing technique, particularly hyperspectral sensing, was used for it. This study investigates hyperspectral sensing of chlorophyll concentration on a tidal flat surface, which is a key variable in deriving primary productivity. The study site is a mudflat in Geunso bay, South Korea and field campaigns were conducted at ebb tide in April and June 2021. Hyperspectral reflectance of the mudflat surfaces was measured with two types of hyperspectral sensors; TriOS RAMSES (directionalsensor) and the Specim-IQ (camera sensor), and Normal Differenced Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Contiuum Removal Depth (CRD) were used to estimate Chl-a from the optical measurements. The validation performed against independent field measurements of Chl-a showed that both CRD and NDVI can retrieve surface Chl-a with R² around 0.7 for the Chl-a range of 0~150 mg/m² tested in this study.

• Resources Recycling
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.12-18
• /
• 2023

In 2018, the demand for silver (referred to as Ag) in the electrical and electronics sector was 249 million tons. The demand stood at 81 million tons in the solar module production sector. Currently, due to the rapid increase in solar module installation, the demand for silver is increasing drastically in Korea. However, Korea's natural metal resources and reserves are insufficient in comparison to their consumption, and the domestic silver ore self-sufficiency rate was as low as 2.2% as of 2021. This implies that a recycling technology is necessary to recover valuable metal resources contained in the waste plating solution generated in the metal industry. Therefore, this study compared and analyzed, the results of the impact evaluation through life cycle assessment according to an improvement in the process of recovery of valuable metals in the waste plating solution. The process improvement resulted in reducing GWP (Global Warming Potential) and ADP(Abiotic Depletion Potential) by 50% and 67%, respectively. The GWP of electricity and industrial water was reduced by 98% and 93%, respectively, which significantly contributed to the minimization of energy and water consumption. Thus, the improvement in recycling technology has a high potential to reduce chemical and energy use and improve resource productivity in the urban mining industry.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.33-40
• /
• 2024

The volume of shells, a prominent form of marine waste, is steadily increasing each year. However, a significant portion of these shells is either discarded or left near coastlines, posing environmental and social concerns. Utilizing shells as a substitute for traditional aggregates presents a potential solution, especially considering the diminishing availability of natural aggregates. This approach could effectively reduce transportation logistics costs, thereby promoting resource recycling. In this study, we explore the feasibility of employing wasted shell aggregates in 3D concrete printing technology for marine structures. Despite the advantages, it is observed that 3D printing concrete with wasted shells as aggregates results in lower strength compared to ordinary concrete, attributed to pores at the interface of shells and cement paste. Microstructure characterization becomes essential for evaluating mechanical properties. We conduct an analysis of the mechanical properties and microstructure of 3D printing concrete specimens incorporating wasted shells. Additionally, a mix design is proposed, taking into account flowability, extrudability, and buildability. To assess mechanical properties, compression and bonding strength specimens are fabricated using a 3D printer, and subsequent strength tests are conducted. Microstructure characteristics are analyzed through scanning electron microscope tests, providing high-resolution images. A histogram-based segmentation method is applied to segment pores, and porosity is compared based on the type of wasted shell. Pore characteristics are quantified using a probability function, establishing a correlation between the mechanical properties and microstructure characteristics of the specimens according to the type of wasted shell.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.46 no.4
• /
• pp.291-300
• /
• 2013

The potential mineral resources in North Korea are magnesite, limestone, coal, graphite, iron, gold, silver, lead, and zinc. North Korea is mainly exporting coal and iron to China(70%) and EU countries. Gold ore reserves(or resources) in North Korea are about 2,000 tons and annual production is 2 tons based on metal. Major gold mines are Sooan, Holdong, and Daeyoodong mines and six smelters are operating. Fe ore reserves (or resources) are 4.3 billion tons and annual production is about 5 million tons based on 63.5% Fe. Major iron mines are Moosan, Leewon, Eunryul, Shinwon, and Jaeryong and 7 smelters are operating. Pb and Zn ore reserves(or resources) are Pb 470,000 tons and Zn 15 million tons, and annual productions are about Pb 26,000 tons and Zn 50,000 tons based on metal respectively. Major Pb-Zn mines are Gumdock and Seongcheon mines. Magnesite ore reserves(or resources) are 2.8 billion tons (95% MgO) and annual production is about 150,000 tons. Major magnesite mines are Ryongyang, Daeheung Youth and Ssangryong mines, and 5 magnesium refractory factories are operating. Apatite ore reserves(or resources) are 340 million tons(30% $P_2O_5$) and annual production is about 300,000 tons(crude ore). Major apatite mines are Daedaeri, Dongam and Poongnyen mines. Coal is established as an important strategic fuel mineral resources and is a major energy source in North Korea. Coal ore reserves(or resources) are 18.6 billion tons and annual production is about 20 million tons. The main coal fields is located in southern Pyongan and the Jigdong mine is the biggest in North Korea.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.44 no.1
• /
• pp.83-94
• /
• 2011

Extra heavy oil reservoirs are distributed over the world but most of them is deposited in the northern part of the Orinoco River in Venezuela, in the area of 5,500 $km^2$, This region, which has been commonly called "the Orinoco Oil Belt", contains estimated 1.3 trillion barrels of original oil-in-place and 250 billion barrels of established reserves. The Venezuela extra heavy oil has an API gravity of less than 10 degree and in situ viscosity of 5,000 cP at reservoir condition. Although the presence of extra heavy oil in the Orinoco Oil Belt has been initially reported in the 1930's, the commercial development using in situ cold production started in the 1990's. The Orinoco heavy oil deposits are clustered into 4 development areas, Boyaco, Junin, Ayachoco, and Carabobo respectively, and they are subdivided into totally 31 production blocks. Nowadays, PDVSA (Petr$\'{o}$leos de Venzuela, S.A.) makes a development of each production block with the international oil companies from more than 20 countries forming a international joint-venture company. The Eastern Venezuela Basin, the Orinoco Oil Belt is included in, is one of the major oil-bearing sedimentary basins in Venezuela and is first formed as a passive margin basin by the Jurassic tectonic plate motion. The major source rock of heavy oil is the late Cretaceous calcareous shale in the central Eastern Venezuela Basin. Hydrocarbon materials migrated an average of 150 km up dip to the southern margin of the basin. During the migration, lighter fractions in the hydrocarbon were removed by biodegradation and the oil changed into heavy and/or extra heavy oil. Miocene Oficina Formation, the main extra heavy oil reservoir, is the unconsolidated sand and shale alternation formed in fluvial-estuarine environment and also has irregularly a large number of the Cenozoic faults induced by basin subsidence and tectonics. Because Oficina Formation has not only complex lithology distribution but also irregular geology structure, geological evolution and characteristics of the reservoirs have to be determined for economical production well design and effective oil recovery. This study introduces geological formation and evolution of the Venezuela extra heavy oil reservoirs and suggest their significant geological characteristics which are (1) thickness and geometry of reservoir pay sands, (2) continuity and thickness of mud beds, (3) geometry of faults, (4) depth and geothermal character of reservoir, (5) in-situ stress field of reservoir, and (6) chemical composition of extra heavy oil. Newly developed exploration techniques, such as 3-D seismic survey and LWD (logging while drilling), can be expected as powerful methods to recognize the geological reservoir characteristics in the Orinoco Oil Belt.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.432-438
• /
• 1996

This study was carried out to prepare information for the establishment of countermeasures for an area contaminated with minewaste from an old zinc mine at Kahak-long in Kwangmyong. Minewaste and bottom sediments from the streams in this area were sampled and were analyzed for Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn extracted with different solution. Total heavy metal contents in both minewaste and bottom sediments were fairly high. Cadmium and Zn contents in the minewaste and Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn contents in the bottom sediments extracted with 0.1 N HCl showed a much higher level than those in the background level of paddy soils and in the soils around the other metal mines regardless of the distance from the mine. Sulfide/residue forms of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn covered the highest portions for the minewaste. For bottom sediments, sulfide/residue forms of Cu and Zn formed the highest portions, whereas the contents of both carbonate and sulfide/residue forms of Cd and Pb were significant. The lower the pH of the extracting solutions, the more heavy metals extracted from both minewaste and bottom sediments.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
• /
• 1994.07a
• /
• pp.184-215
• /
• 1994

The Hydrogeologic data of 455 water wells comprising geologic and aquifer test were analyzed to determine hydrogeoloic characteristics of Cheju island. The groundwater of Cheju island is occurred in unconsolidated pyroclastic deposits interbedded in highly jointed basaltic and andesic rocks as high level, basal and parabasal types order unconfined condition. The average transmissivity and specific yield of the aquifer are at about 29,300m$^2$/day and 0.12 respectively. The total storage of groundwater is estimated about 44 billion cubic meters(m$^3$). Average annual precipitation is about 3390 million m$^3$ among which average recharge amount is estimated 1494 million m$^3$ equivalent 44.1% of annual precipitation with 638 million m$^3$ of runoff and 1256 million m$^3$ of evapotranspiration. Based on groundwater budget analysis, the sustainable yield is about 620 million m$^3$(41% of annual recharge)and rest of it is discharging into the sea. The geologic logs of recently drilled thermal water wens indicate that very low-permeable marine sediments(Sehwa-ri formation) composed of loosely cemented sandy sat derived from mainly volcanic ashes, at the 1st stage volcanic activity of the area was situated at the 120$\pm$68m below sea level. And also the other low-permeable sedimentary rock called Segipo-formation which is deemed younger than former marine sediment is occured at the area covering north-west and western part of Cheju at the $\pm$70m below sea level. If these impermeable beds are distributed as a basal formation of fresh water zone of Cheju, most of groundwater in Cheju will be para-basal type. These formations will be one of the most important hydrogeologic boundary and groundwater occurences in the area.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.44 no.3
• /
• pp.229-238
• /
• 2011

S-wave, which provides lithology and pore fluid information, plays a key role in estimating gas-hydrate saturation. In general, P- and S-wave velocities increase in the presence of gas-hydrate and the P-wave velocity decreases in the presence of free gas under the gas-hydrate layer. Whereas there are very small changes, even slightly increases, in the S-wave velocity in the free gas layer because S-wave is not affected by the pore fluid when propagating in the free gas layer. To verify those velocity properties of the BSR (bottom-simulating reflector) depth in the gas-hydrate prospect area in the Ulleung Basin, P- and S-wave velocity profiles were derived from multi-component ocean-bottom seismic data which were acquired by Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) in May 2009. OBS (ocean-bottom seismometer) hydrophone component data were modeled and inverted first through the traveltime inversion method to derive P-wave velocity and depth model of survey area. 2-D multichannel stacked data were incorporated as an initial model. Two horizontal geophone component data, then, were polarization filtered and rotated to make radial component section. Traveltimes of main S-wave events were picked and used for forward modeling incorporating Poisson's ratio. This modeling provides S-wave profiles and Poisson's ratio profiles at every OBS site. The results shows that P-wave velocities in most OBS sites decrease beneath the BSR, whereas S-wave velocities slightly increase. Consequently, Poisson's ratio decreased strongly beneath the BSR indicating the presence of a free gas layer under the BSR.