• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.195-214
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• 2020

The Samgwang Au-Ag deposit has been one of the largest deposits in Korea. The deposit consists of eight lens-shaped quartz veins which filled fractures along fault zones in Precambrian metasedimentary rock, which feature suggest that it is an orogenic-type deposit. The Ti-bearing minerals occur in wallrock (titanite, ilmenite and rutile) and laminated quartz vein (rutile). They occur minerals including biotite, muscovite, chlorite, white mica, monazite, zircon, apatite in wallrock and white mica, chlorite, arsenopyrite in laminated quartz vein. Chemical composition of titanite has maximum vaules of 3.94 wt.% (Al₂O₃), 0.49 wt.% (FeO), 0.52 wt.% (Nb₂O₅), 0.46 wt.% (Y₂O₃) and 0.43 wt.% (V₂O₅). Titanite with 0.06~0.14 (Fe/Al ratio) and 0.06~0.15 (X_Al (=Al/Al+Fe³⁺+Ti)) corresponds with metamorphic origin and low-Al variety. Chemical composition of ilmenite has maximum values of 0.07 wt.% (ZrO₂), 0.12 wt.% (HfO₂), 0.26 wt.% (Nb₂O₅), 0.04 wt.% (Sb₂O₅), 0.13 wt.% (Ta₂O₅), 2.62 wt.% (As₂O₅), 0.29 wt.% (V₂O₅), 0.12 wt.% (Al₂O₃) and 1.59 wt.% (ZnO). Chemical composition of rutile in wallrock and laminated quartz vein has maximum values of 0.35 wt.%, 0.65 wt.% (HfO₂), 2.52 wt.%, 0.19 wt.% (WO₃), 1.28 wt.%, 1.71 wt.% (Nb₂O₃), 0.03 wt.%, 0.07 wt.% (Sb₂O₃), 0.28 wt.%, 0.21 wt.% (As₂O₅), 0.68 wt.%, 0.70 wt.% (V₂O₃), 0.48 wt.%, 0.59 wt.% (Cr₂O₃), 0.70 wt.%, 1.90 wt.% (Al₂O₃) and 4.76 wt.%, 3.17 wt.% (FeO), respectively. Rutile in laminated quartz vein is higher contents (HfO₂, Nb₂O₃, As₂O₅, Cr₂O₃, Al₂O₃ and FeO) and lower content (WO₃) than rutile in wallrock. The substitutions of rutile in wallrock and laminated quatz vein are as followed : rutile in wallrock [(Fe³⁺, Al³⁺, Cr³⁺) + Hf⁴⁺ + (W⁵⁺, As⁵⁺, Nb⁵⁺) ⟵⟶ 2Ti⁴⁺ + V⁴⁺, 2Fe²⁺ + (Al³⁺, Cr³⁺) + Hf⁴⁺ + (W⁵⁺, As⁵⁺, Nb⁵⁺) ⟵⟶ 2Ti⁴⁺ + 2V⁴⁺], rutile in laminated quartz vein [(Fe³⁺, Al³⁺) + As⁵⁺ ⟵⟶ Ti⁴⁺ + V⁴⁺, (Fe³⁺, Al³⁺) + As⁵⁺ ⟵⟶ Ti⁴⁺ + Hf⁴⁺, 4(Fe³⁺, Al³⁺) ⟵⟶ Ti⁴⁺ + (W⁵⁺, Nb⁵⁺) + Cr³⁺], respectively. Based on these data, titanite, ilmenite and rutile in wallrock were formed by resolution and reconcentration of cations (W⁵⁺, Nb⁵⁺, As⁵⁺, Hf⁴⁺, V⁴⁺, Cr³⁺, Al³⁺, Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺) in minerals of wallrock during regional metamorphism. And then rutile in laminated quartz vein was formed by reconcentration of cations (Nb⁵⁺, As⁵⁺, Hf⁴⁺, Cr³⁺, Al³⁺, Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺) in alteration minerals (white mica, chlorite) and Ti-bearing minerals reaction between hydrothermal fluid originated during ductile shear and Ti-bearing minerals (titanite, ilmenite and rutile) in wallrock.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.189-199
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• 2004

Cretaceous sedimentary rocks bearing dinosaur tracks in the Goseong interchange area were studied for their conservation and public display in the aspect of applied mineralogy. Black clay layers alternate with silt layers in the sedimentary rocks. The verical and horizontal fissures are commonly filled with calcite veinlets, supergenetic iron and manganese oxides. The rocks are composed of quartz, albite, K-feldspar, calcite, chlorite, illite, muscovite, and biotite, with minor apatite and rutile. Silt layers are relatively rich in calcite and albite, whereas clay layers are abundant in quartz, illite, and chlorite. Al, Fe, Mg, K, Ti, and P are enriched in the clay layers, while Ca, Na, and Mn in silt. Most of trace elements including V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cs, Zr, REE, Th, and U are enriched in clay layers. Inorganic carbon are present in silt layers as calcite, while organic carbon in black clay layers. The black clay layers were partly altered to yellow clay layers along the fissures, simultaneously with the decrease of organic carbon. Selective exfoliation of clay-rich black and yellow clay layers, calcite matrix of silt layers and calcite infillings of fissures are estimated as the major weakness potentially promoting chemical and physical degradation of the track-bearing rock specimens.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2009

The Haman mineralized area is located within the Cretaceous Gyeongsang Basin along the southeastern part of the Korean peninsula. Almost all occurrences in the Haman area are representative of copper-bearing polymetallic hydrothermal vein-type mineralization. Within the area are a number of fissure-filling hydrothermal veins which contain tourmaline, quartz and carbonates with Fe-oxide, base-metal sulfide and sulfosalt minerals. The Gunbuk, Jeilgunbuk and Haman mines are each located on such veins. The ore and gangue mineral paragenesis can be divided into three distinct stages: Stage I, tourmaline + quartz + Fe-Cu ore mineralization; Stage II, quartz + sulfides + sulfosalts + carbonates; Stage III, barren calcite. Equilibrium thermodynamic data combined with mineral paragenesis indicate that copper minerals precipitated mainly within a temperature range of $350^{\circ}C$ to $250^{\circ}C$. During early mineralization at $350^{\circ}C$, significant amounts of copper ($10^3$ to $10^2\;ppm$) could be dissolved in weakly acid NaCl solutions. For late mineralization at $250^{\circ}C$, about $10^0$ to $10^{-1}\;ppm$ copper could be dissolved. Equilibrium thermodynamic interpretation indicates that the copper in the Haman-Gunbuk systems could have been transported as a chloride complex and the copper precipitation occurred as a result of cooling accompanied by changes in the geochemical environments ($fs_2$, $fo_2$, pH, etc.) resulting in decrease of solubility of copper chloride complexes.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.25-39
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• 1994

The Deogbong napseok clay deposit which is composed mainly of dickite and pyrophyllite has been formed by hydrothermal alteration of the Late Cretaceous volcanic rocks consisting of andesitic tuff and andesite. The mineralogy of the napseok ores and the hydrothermal alteration processes have been studied in order to know the nature of the interaction between minerals and fluids for the formation of the deposit. Chemical distribution shows that alkali elements and silica were mobile but alumina was relatively immobile during the hydrothermal processes. It is evident that enrichment of alumina and leaching of silica from the host rock led to the formation of the napseok ore, whereas the enrichment of silica in the outer zone of the deposit gave rise to the silica zone. A large amount of microcrystalline quartz closely associated with dickite and pyrophyllite suggests the increasing activity of silica. Thus Si which was released away from the argillic zone by the increasing activity of silica. Thus Si which was released away from the argillic zone by the increasing activity of silica solubility moved out precipitating in the margin of the deposit to form the silica zone. Variation in dickite crystallinity implies the local change in the stability of the system. Thermodynamic calculation shows that the invariant point of pyrophyllite-dickite (kaolinite)-diaspore-quartz assemblages at 500 bars in the system $Al_{2}O_{3}-SiO_{2}-H_{2}O$ is about 300 $^{\circ}C$. Based on the mineral assemblages and the experimental data reported, it is estimated that the main episode of hydrothermal alteration occurred at least above 270 to 300 $^{\circ}C$ and $X_{CO_2}$ <0.025. Mineral occurrence and chemical variation indicate that the activity of Al is high in the upper part of the deposit, whereas the activity of Si is high in the lower part and the margin of the deposit. The nonequilibrium phase relations observed in the Deogbong deposit might be due to local change in intensive thermodynamic variables and fluid transport properties that resulted in the formation of nonequilibrium phases b of several stages.

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

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.117-128
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• 2017

Occurrence characteristics and existing forms of U-Th containing minerals in KURT (KAERI Underground Research Tunnel) granite are investigated to understand long-term behavior of radionuclides in granite considered as a candidate rock for the geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste. KURT granite primarily consists of quartz, feldspar and mica. zircon, REE(Rare Earth Element)-containing monazite and bastnaesite are also identified. Besides, secondary minerals such as sericite, microcline and chlorite including quartz vein and calcite vein are observed. These minerals are presumed to be accompanied by a post-hydrothermal process. U-Th containing minerals are mainly observed at the boundaries of quartz, feldspar and mica, mostly less than $30{\mu}m$ in size. Quantitative analysis results using EPMA (Electron Probe Micro-Analyzer) show that 74.2 ~ 96.5% of the U-Th containing minerals consist of $UO_2$ (3.39 ~ 33.19 wt.%), $ThO_2$ (41.61 ~ 50.24 wt.%) and $SiO_2$ (15.43 ~ 18.60 wt.%). Chemical structure of the minerals calculated using EPMA quantitative analysis shows that the U-Th minerals are silicate minerals determined as thorite and uranothorite. The U-Th containing silicate minerals are formed by a magmatic and hydrothermal process. Therefore, KURT granite formed by a magmatic differentiation is accompanied by an alteration and replacement owing to a hydrothermal process. U-Th containing silicate minerals in KURT granite are estimated to be recrystallized by geochemical factors and parameters such as temperature, pressure and pH owing to the hydrothermal process. By repeated dissolution/precipitation during the recrystallization process, U-Th containing silicate minerals such as thorite and uranothorite are formed according to the variation in the concentrated amount of U and Th.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.289-301
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• 1997

The Boguk cobalt mine is located within the Cretaceous Gyeongsang Sedimentary Basin. Major ore minerals including cobalt-bearing minerals (loellingite, cobaltite, and glaucodot) and Co-bearing arsenopyrite occur together with base-metal sulfides (pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, sphalerite, etc.) and minor amounts of oxides (magnetite and hematite) within fracture-filling $quartz{\pm}actinolite{\pm}carbonate$ veins. These veins are developed within an epicrustal micrographic granite stock which intrudes the Konchonri Formation (mainly of shale). Radiometric date of the granite (85.98 Ma) indicates a Late Cretaceous age for granite emplacement and associated cobalt mineralization. The vein mineralogy is relatively complex and changes with time: cobalt-bearing minerals with actinolite, carbonates, and quartz gangues (stages I and II) ${\rightarrow}$ base-metal sulfides, gold, and Fe oxides with quartz gangues (stage III) ${\rightarrow}$ barren carbonates (stages IV and V). The common occurrence of high-temperature minerals (cobalt-bearing minerals, molybdenite and actinolite) with low-temperature minerals (base-metal sulfides, gold and carbonates) in veins indicates a xenothermal condition of the hydrothermal mineralization. High enrichment of Co in the granite (avg. 50.90 ppm) indicates the magmatic hydrothermal derivation of cobalt from this cooling granite stock, whereas higher amounts of Cu and Zn in the Konchonri Formation shale suggest their derivations largely from shale. The decrease in temperature of hydrothermal fluids with a concomitant increase in fugacity of oxygen with time (for cobalt deposition in stages I and II, $T=560^{\circ}C-390^{\circ}C$ and log $fO_2=$ >-32.7 to -30.7 atm at $350^{\circ}C$; for base-metal sulfide deposition in stage III, $T=380^{\circ}-345^{\circ}C$ and log $fO_2={\geq}-30.7$ atm at $350^{\circ}C$) indicates a transition of the hydrothermal system from a magmatic-water domination toward a less-evolved meteoric-water domination. Sulfur isotope data of stage II sulfide minerals evidence that early, Co-bearing hydrothermal fluids derived originally from an igneous source with a ${\delta}^{34}S_{{\Sigma}S}$ value near 3 to 5‰. The remarkable increase in ${\delta}^{34}S_{H2S}$ values of hydrothermal fluids with time from cobalt deposition in stage II (3-5‰) to base-metal sulfide deposition in stage III (up to about 20‰) also indicates the change of the hydrothermal system toward the meteoric water domination, which resulted in the leaching-out and concentration of isotopically heavier sulfur (sedimentary sulfates), base metals (Cu, Zn, etc.) and gold from surrounding sedimentary rocks during the huge, meteoric water circulation. We suggest that without the formation of the later, meteoric water circulation extensively through surrounding sedimentary rocks the Boguk cobalt deposits would be simple veins only with actinolite + quartz + cobalt-bearing minerals. Furthermore, the formation of the meteoric water circulation after the culmination of a magmatic hydrothermal system resulted in the common occurrence of high-temperature minerals with later, lower-temperature minerals, resulting in a xenothermal feature of the mineralization.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.471-483
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• 2001

The pH values of the mine and surface water from the Tohyun mine creek were higher compared with those of groundwater, and 2nd round samples in same sites were even alkaline. The stream and mine waters belong to the characteristics of (Ca+Mg)-(SO$_4$) and (Ca+Mg)-(HCO$_3$) types, and groundwaters have to the (Ca+Mg+Na+K)-(HCO$_3$+SO$_4$) type. As the 2nd samples. concentrations of mostly anions are increasing compared with the forder samples. However, the mostly cation concentrations are decreasing. The hydrogeochemistry indicate that water quality is different chemical characteristics and evolution trends. The range of $\delta$D and $\delta$$^{18}$ valutes (relative to SMOW) in the waters are shown in -62.2 to -70.1$\textperthousand$, and -8.1 to -9.4$\textperthousand$. The values are plowed parallel to $\delta$D=8$\delta$$^{18}$ O+ (6$\pm$4). The d values of groundwater show 2.4, which is lower than the surface (5.2) and mine (7.6) waters. Strontium concentra titans range from 0.025 to 11.844 mg/$\ell$ in all kinds of water samples, but the groundwater has the highest contents The $^{87}$ Sr/$^{86}$ Sr ratios (0.7115 to 0.7129) show more lightened to the groundwater. The $\delta$$^{18}$ O value, Ca and Sr contents are decreased with $^{87}$ Sr/$^{86}$ Sr increasing, because it is support to the altitude effects of the sampling sites rather than a water-rock interaction of environmental isotope. Using computer code of WATEQ4F, saturation indices of albite, Quartz, gibssite and gypsum are calculated to be soluble. The calcite and dolomite show super saturation state, however, clay mineral species are plotted boundary between undersaturation and supersaturation. In the Tohyun mine creek, reaction materials with ore wastes arid precipitation have influence upon increasing EC and TDS of the waters independent of pH. The SO$_4$ concentrations in the mine water is 181.845 mg/$\ell$. This is abruptly increase in surface water and then detected 249.727 mg/$\ell$ in the groundwater. As a results of the calculated sulfate mineral solubilities, the sulfate ions became saturation states an above 150 mg/$\ell$ concentrations.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.371-380
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• 2016

This study aims to identify the mineraloical and petrographical characteristics of caprock from drilling cores of Pohang basin as a potential $CO_2$ storage site. Experiments and modeling were conducted in order to investigate the geochemical and mineralogical caprock effects of carbon dioxide. A series of autoclave experiments were conducted to simulate the interaction in the $scCO_2$-caprock-brine using a high pressure and temperature cell at $50^{\circ}C$ and 100 bar. Geochemical and mineralogical alterations after 15 days of $scCO_2$-caprock-brine sample reactions were quantitatively examined by XRD, XRF, ICP-OES investigation. Results of mineralogical studies, together with petrographic data of caprock and data on the physicochemical parameters of brine were used for geochemical modeling. Modelling was carried out using the The Geochemist's Workbench 11.0.4 geochemical simulator. Results from XRD analysis for caprock sample showed that major compositional minerals are quartz, plagioclase, and K-feldspar, and muscovite, pyrite, siderite, calcite, kaolinite and montnorillonite were included on a small scale. Results from ICP-OES analysis for brine showed that concentration of $Ca^{2+}$, $Na^+$, $K^+$ and $Mg^{2+}$ increased due to dissolution of plagioclase, K-feldspar and muscovite. Results of modeling for the period of 100 years showed that the recrystallization of kaolinite, dawsonite and beidellite, at the expense of plagioclase and K-feldspar is characteristic. Volumes of newly precipitation minerals and minerals passing into brine were balanced, so the porosity remained nearly unchanged. Experimental and modeling results indicate the interaction between caprock and $scCO_2$ during geologic carbon sequestration can exert significant impacts in brine pH and solubility/stability of minerals.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.247-259
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• 1998

Groundwater quality of the natural mineral water was investigated in hydrochemical aspects in order to ensure that mineral water meets stringent health standards. There exist 20 mineral water plants in the Daebo granite and 4 mineral water plants in the Bulguksa granite, respectively. Both granite areas show some differences in water chemistry. The pH, EC, hardness, total ionic contents in groundwater of the Daebo granite area are higher relative to those of the Bulguksa granite area. The content of major cations is in the order of Ca>Na>Mg>K, while that of major anions shows the order of $HCO_3>SO_4$>Cl>F. The fact that the $Ca-Na-HCO_3$ type is most predominant among water types may reflect that the dissolution of plagioclase that is most abundant in granitic rocks plays a most important role in groundwater chemistry. Representative correlation coefficients between chemical species are variable depending on geology. In the Daebo granite area, $Ca-HCO_3(0.84),{\;}Mg-HCO_3(0.81),{\;}SiO_2-Cl(0.74),{\;}Na-HCO_3(0.70)$ show relatively good correlationships. In the Bulguksa granite area, fairly good correlationships are found among some components such as K-Mg(0.93), $K-HCO_3(0.92)$, Mg-Cl(0.92), $Cl-HCO_3(0.91)$, and K-F(0.90). 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, whereas it is still greatly undersaturated with respect to dolomite, gypsum and fluorite. Based on the phase equilibrium it is clear that groundwater is mostly in equilibrium with kaolinite and becomes undersaturated with respect to feldspars, evolved from the stability area of gibbsite during water-rock interaction. While the activity of silica increases, there is no remarkable increase in the acivities of alkali ions and pH, which indicates that some amounts of silicic acid dissolved from silica phases as well as feldspars were provided to groundwater. It is concluded that chemical evolution of groundwater in granite aquifers may continue to proceed with increasing pH.