• Resources Recycling
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.3-8
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• 2023

This study discussed production, demand, and future prospects of rubidium, which is an alkali group metal that is highly reactive to various media and requires carefulness in handling, but no significant environmental hazard of rubidium has been reported yet. Rubidium is used in various fields such as optoelectronic equipment, biomedical, and chemical industries. Because of difficulty in production as well as limited demand, the transaction price of rubidium is relatively high, but its detail information such as market status and potential growth is uncertain. However, if the mass production of versatile ultra-high-performance equipment such as quantum computers and the necessity of rubidium use in the equipment are confirmed, there is a possibility that the rubidium market will expand in the future. Rubidium is often found together with lithium, beryllium, and cesium, and may be present in granite containing minerals such as lepidolite and pollucite, as well as in seawater and industrial waste. Several technologies such as acid leaching, roasting, solvent extraction, and adsorption are used to recover rubidium. The maximum recovery efficiency of the rubidium from the sources and the processing above is generally high, but, in many practices, rubidium is not the main recovery target, and therefore the actual recovery effects should depend on presence of other valuable components or impurities, together with recovery costs, energy consumption, environmental issues, etc. In conclusion, although the current production and consumption of rubidium are limited, with consideration of the possible market fluctuations according to the emergence of large-scale demand sources, etc., further investigations by related institutions should be necessary.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.25-54
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• 2015

Syenite is not a common rock, unlike granitic rocks formed the major component of the continental crust. The aim of this study is to decipher the occurrences and detailed descriptive characteristics of the syenite distributed in Sancheong area, and to investigate the petrogenesis of the syenitic magma based on geochemical study. The dominant minerals in syenite are alkali feldspar (usually orthoclase and rarely microcline), plagioclase, amphibole, biotite, and quartz. Syenites are found in a wide variety of colors. The anhedral hornblende and biotite filling the boundary of feldspar and quartz indicate that the hydrous minerals were crystallized lately, and that water was insufficient at the beginning of crystallization in magma. According to the analysis of mineral composition, amphibole in syenite is mostly ferro-edenite, and the pressure is calculated as 3.3~4.9 kb with 11.9~17.3 km of emplacement depth. Biotite and pyroxene are plotted in the region of annite and hedenbergite, respectively. Based on petrochemical studies of major elements, syenite belongs to alkaline series, metaluminous, and I-type. On the other hand, the variation patterns of trace and rare earth elements of syenite differ from the patterns of diorite and granite. In the geochemical characteristics, syenite is different from gabbro-diorite spatially adjacent to syenite, as well as granite. These results suggest that each rock has been generated from the different sources of magma. Additionally, based on the experimental data, the syenitic magma can be formed (1) by the partial melting at a high pressure and dry system, (2) when the initial crystallization minerals to be residue with migration of the residual melts separated from the ascending cotectic magma (3) when fluorine compositions to be plentiful in the protolith and/or at depth of the magma. Based on the petrographic characteristics of the syenite, Sancheong syenitic magma may have been formed by partial melting in a dry system.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.238-253
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• 2000

In the eastern part of the Euiseong Basin acidic~intermediate volcanic rocks widely distribute on the Cretaceous sedimentary basement. Coeval granitic rocks and dyke rocks intruded into the volcanic rocks. Volcanic stratigraphy of study area are andesite lava, dacitic lapilli tuff, dacitic flow-banded lava, rhyolitic bedded tuff, rhyolitic massive tuff, dacitic massive lava, rhyolitlc welded tuff occur from the lower to the upper strata. $SiO_2$ content of the volcanic rocks range from 51 to 74 wt.%. With the increase of $SiO_2$, the contents of $TiO_2$, $Al_2$$O_3$, MgO, FeOT MnO, CaO, $P_2$$O_{5}$ decrease but those of $K_2$O increase. The contents of $Na_2$O show dispersive variation. This trend is quite sim-ilar to the major oxide variation in the volcanic rocks from the Yucheon sub-basin. The geochemical natures indicate that the volcanic rocks in the study area are discriminated to the island-arc type high K to medium K calc-alkaline rocks. The compositional variation of the volcanic rocks can be explained by the plagioclase fractionation of the volcanic magmas originated from similar source materials. The volcanic stratigraphy seems to have formed by at least two eruptive sequences of andesitic to rhyolitic and dacitic to rhyolitic magmas which underwent crystallization differentiation.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.39 no.1 s.176
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• pp.27-38
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• 2006

To understand the geologic and hydrogeochemical controls on the occurrence of high fluoride concentrations in bedrock groundwaters of South Korea, we examined a total of 367 hydrochemistry data obtained from deep groundwater wells (avg. depth=600 m) that were drilled fur exploitation of hot springs. The fluoride concentrations were generally very high (avg. 5.65mg/L) and exceeded the Drinking Water Standard (1.5 mg/L) in $72\%$ of the samples. A significant geologic control of fluoride concentrations was observed: the highest concentrations occur in the areas of granitoids and granitic gneiss, while the lowest concentrations in the areas of volcanic and sedimentary rocks. In relation to the hydrochemical facies, alkaline $Na-HCO_3$ type waters had remarkably higher F concentrations than circum-neutral to slightly alkaline $Ca-HCO_3$ type waters. The prolonged water-rock interaction occurring during the deep circulation of groundwater in the areas of granitoids and granitic gneiss is considered most important for the generation of high F concentrations. Under such condition, fluoride-rich groundwaters are likely formed through hydrogeochemical processes consisting of the removal of Ca from groundwater via calcite precipitation and/or cation exchange and the successive dissolution of plagioclase and F-bearing hydroxyl minerals (esp. biotite). Thus, groundwaters with high pH and very high Na/Ca ratio within granitoids and granitic gneiss are likely most vulnerable to the water supply problem related to enriched fluorine.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.395-406
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• 1997

Some RE (Zr, Nb, REE) ore deposits are located in the middle part of the Korean peninsula. Geotectonically, the RE ore deposits situated on the Kyemyeongsan Formation of northern margin of the Okcheon geosynclinal belt and in the transitional zone between Kyeonggi massif and Okcheon belt. The rare metal deposits distributed in Kyemyeongsan Formation which consists of schist and alkaline granite. The alkali granite has suffered extensive post-magmatic metasomatism and hydrothermal processes. The ore contains mainly Ce-La, Ta-Nb, Y, Y-Nb, Ti-Nb-(U), Nd-Th group minerals. Fergusonite, one of Nb-Y rich REE minerals belonging to the A-B oxides, is most common mineral in the rare metal deposits. The fergusonite bearing rocks may be devided into four types by occurrence features and mineral association, that is, zircon type, allanite vein, feldspar type, and fluorite type. Fergusonites show wide variations in optical properties, due to part of differences in their chemical composition (depending on the types), but also the degree of crystalinity of the individual specimens. Fergusonite metamicts enclosed in biotite are generally surrounded by well developed pleochroic haloes. Usually, fergusonite is accompanied with zircon and other REE-bearing minerals. Petrographical and chemical data are presented for fergusonites which collected different types. $Nb_2O_3$ and $Y_2O_3$ contents range from 48.51 to 53.01 wt.% and 29.18 to 42.02 wt.% respectively. Also, $ThO_2$, (1.83~6.93), $UO_2$, (0.17~2.84), ${\sum}RE_2O_3$ (except to Y) (1.11~8.73), and $TiO_2$, (0.19~1.19 wt.%) contents show variational compositions according to fergusonite types. The ${\sum}RE_2O_3$ of fergusonites are positive relation with $Y_2O_3$ and negative relaton with $ThO_2$ and $({\sum}{RE_2O_3}-{Y_2O_3})$. The $Nb_2O_3$ is sightly negative relation with $Ta_2O_3$. Back-scattered electron microscope images (BEI) of fergusonite show the mineral composition and textural feature is very complicated. The variation of Nb, Th and REE content of fergusonite and the modes of occurrence of mineral, suggests that REE may have been mobilized during the circulation of hydrothermal fluids related to contact metamorphism (metasomatism). The chemical variation of the fergusonites with occurrences and mineral association can be related to metasomatism of alkaline fluid was probably the dominant ore-forming process in Chungju district.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.87-98
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• 2015

Geochemical characteristics, water quality, $NO_3{^-}$ contamination and the origin of $NO_3{^-}$ were analyzed for the groundwater located at Ogcheon, Korea. The water qualities were weakly acidic to weakly alkalic and redox potentials indicated reduction condition. Compared to granitic rocks, metamorphic sedimentary rocks with intercalations of limestones and dolomites tended to be more effectively dissolved, resulting in higher pH and higher concentrations of dissolved ingredients. Contamination of heavy metals was not revealed. Geochemical reactions of carbonate rocks and influxes of artificial contamination ingredients seemed to simultaneously determine the geochemical characteristics and water qualities in the study area. From the results of ${\delta}^{15}N$ isotope analysis, the origin of $NO_3{^-}$ was estimated to be influenced dominantly by agricultural activities and human feces and urine.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.18 s.18
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• pp.19-32
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• 2006

The stone pagoda of the Bunhwangsa temple made by piling small brick-shaped stones. The major rock forming stone bricks are andesites with variable genesis. Rock properties of the pagoda roof stone suffer partly including multiple peel-offs, exfoliation, decomposition like onion peels, cracks forming round lines and falling off stone pieces. The stylobates and tabernacles in all the four directions the pagoda are mostly composed of granitic rocks. Those rock properties are heavily contaminated by lichens and mosses with the often marks of inorganic contamination by secondary hydrates that are dark black or yellowish brown. Within the four tabernacles and northern pagoda body situated to relatively high humidity. There are even light gray precipitate looking like stalactites between the northern and western rocks of the body Their major minerals are calcite, gypsum and clays. The stone lion standing in the southeast and northeast side are alkali granite, while that in the southwest and northwest lithic tuff. Total rock properties of the pagoda are 9,708 pieces, among the all properties, fractured blocks are 11.0%, fall out blocks are 6.7% and covered blocks by precipitates are 7.0%, respectively. The pagoda has highly deteriorated the functions of the rock properties due to physical, chemical and biological weathering, therefore, we suggest that this pagoda has need to do long term monitoring and synthetic conservation researches.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.427-438
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• 2014

To measure the depth and extension on the surface cracks of the stone monument, ultrasonic pulse velocity targeted at the Mulgyeseowon Stele in Changnyeong was used in this research. Additionally, to establish a long-term countermeasure of management and conservation for this stele, we have investigated the material properties and damage on it and have conducted a precise diagnosis by a variety of non-destructive techniques. Our research has revealed that stones of the stele are composed mainly of three rock types according to the parts of it, alkali-feldspar granite, gabbro and diorite. The result of the deterioration evaluation has occurred that cracks, which are observed from every direction in the body of the stele, are the significant factors to reduce structural stability. The ultrasonic velocity for an evaluation on the properties of the stele has revealed that the speed was high in the order of body, pedestal and crown. Furthermore, to understand the present condition and occurrences of the cracks which have measured in many different forms on the stele quantitatively, we have estimated from 0.6 to 24.1cm deep of the cracks by To-Tc method using ultrasonic velocity.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.381-393
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• 2011

This study focus on the surface deterioration diagnosis based on the material characteristics of Taean Dongmunri Maaesamjonbulipsang(rock-carved standing triad Buddha Statue) and the weathering environment analysis. Rock materials of the triad Buddha is coarse-grained biotite granite which is composed mainly of quartz, K-feldspar, plagioclase, biotite and muscovite. The triad Buddha was serious surface irregularity(13.5%), exfoliation(12.3%) and discoloration(46.6%), and the physical characteristics using ultrasonic velocity appeared fourth grade (0.59, highly weathered). Korean style wooden shelter of the triad Buddha(closed type) maintained high humidity environment (daily mean; 86.6%) than exterior environment, and appeared the possibility of deterioration by freezing-thawing because the temperature showed below zero temperatures in winter. The shelter was changed from closed-type to open-type to relieve the moisture problem recently. But the moisture problem is yet to be solved because surface water flowing along northern wayside is flowed into triad Buddha. Therefore, environmental control will need to stop inflow of water into triad Buddha.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.32-52
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• 2003

The Mt. Baegyang in Busan, composed of sedimentary basement rocks (Icheonri Formation), andesite (lava), andesitic pyroclastic rocks, fallout tuff and tuffaceous sedimentary rocks, rhyolitic pyroclastic rocks, intrusive rocks (granite-porphyry, felsite, and biotite-granite) of Cretaceous age in ascending order. The volcanic rocks show a section of composite volcano which comprised alternation of andesitic lava and pyroclasitc rocks, rhyolitic pyrocalstic rocks (tuff breccia, lapilli tuff, fine tuff) from the lower to the upper strata. From the major element chemical analysis, the volcanic and intrusive rocks belong to calc-alkaline rock series. The trace element composition and REE patterns of volcanic and plutonic rocks, which are characterized by a high LILE/HFSE ratio and enrichments in LREE, suggest that they are typical of continental margin arc calc-alkaline rocks produced in the subduction environment. Primary basaltic magma might have been derived from partial melting of mantle wedge in the upper mantle under destructive plate margin. Crystallization differentiation of the basaltic magma would have produced the calc-alkaline andesitic magma. And the felsic rhyolitic magma seems to have been evolved from andesitic magma with crystallization differentiation of plagioclase, pyroxene, and hornblende.