• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.213-221
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• 2019

The Wugang banded iron formation (BIF) is located within the Taihua complex at the southern margin of the North China Craton (NCC). In this study, we analyzed major elements and rare-earth elements in iron ores from the Wugang BIF, to study the type of BIFs and their formation mechanism in combination with previously-published data from the literature. We found that the iron ores from the Wugang BIF display two types of banding textures, which can be described as weak banding or no banding. The samples are composed of coarse-grained magnetite, quartz, pyroxene, and amphibole. Based on our geochemical results, mixing of a hydrothermal fluid with sea water led to the precipitation of the Wugang BIF, and there is evidence of crustal contamination. These results, combined with previous literature data, almost all of the iron ores lack Ce anomalies, though some samples show negative Ce anomalies. Our results indicate that the Wugang BIF was formed in a dominantly reducing environment, although the surfaces were relatively oxidized. Geochemical evidence suggests that the Wugang BIF iron ores were formed in a near-shore continental-shelf environment or in a back-arc basin. The BIF is known as interbedded with migmatite, amphibole gneiss, minor quartz and marble, which indicating lack of volcanic materials input. This study, combined with previous results on geochemical interpretation of related wall rock of Wugang BIF, demonstrated that Wugang BIF belongs to Superior-type BIF.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.20-27
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• 2021

Subsurface rock produces heat from the decay of radioactive isotopes in constituent minerals and gamma-ray emissions, of which the magnitude is dominated by the contents of the major radioactive isotopes (e.g., U, Th, and K). The heat production is generally calculated from the rock density and contents of major isotopes, which can be determined by mass spectrometry of drilled core samples or rock fragments. However, such methods are not easily applicable to deep boreholes because core samples recovered from depths of several hundred meters to a few kilometers are rarely available. A geophysical logging technique for boreholes is available where the U, Th, and K contents are measured from the gamma-ray spectrum. However, this technique requires the density to be measured separately, and the measurement depth of the equipment is still limited. As an alternative method, a normal gamma-ray logging tool was adopted to estimate the heat production from the total gamma activity, which is relatively easy to measure. This technical report introduces the development of the proposed method for evaluating the heat production of a granitic rock mass with domestic commercial borehole logging tools, as well as its application to a ~2 km deep borehole for verification.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.133-137
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• 2011

In this study, illite was size-reduced using a wet-ball-milling treatment to improve its dispersion. Changes in illite particle size, size distribution, and dispersion characteristics after varying the treatment period were investigated. And the dispersion and dispersion stability of illite solution after 2 h wet ball milling treatment with different pH conditions were also evaluated. The illite particle size significantly decreased as the treatment time increased and the size reduction effect of wet ball milling deteriorated above 2 h treatment time. In addition, illite particle size was more evenly distributed as the treatment time increased. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that no crystal structural changes of illite were induced, but the characteristic peak of illite the weaker due to the size reduction and exfoliation, as the treatment time increased. Zeta potential analysis showed that the illite dispersion improved, as the treatment time increased. The illite wet-ball-mill treated at pH 2 had the lowest dispersion stability. Illite dispersion and dispersion stability increased as pH increased, due to the increase in surface ionization. Hence, the results showed that as the treatment time increased, the illite particle size decreased, and dispersion and dispersion stability improved due to the increase in surface energy and repulsion force between particles.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.180-188
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• 2020

To replace Japanese coal ash used in the domestic cement production and to recycle large quantities of domestic pond ash, it is essential to develop the technologies for quality control of cement by using the domestic pond ash. Thus, in this study, the feasibility of using the pond ash as a raw material for cement was investigated through chemical composition and microstructure analysis. As a result, most of the domestic pond ash contained slightly more Fe2O3, chloride, and unburned carbon contents than Japanese coal ash. In particular, the contents of chloride were considerably low in the pond ash that was transferred to fresh water or collected from surface of landfill area. However, since circulating fluidized bed boiler coal ash had relatively high SO3 contents causing durability problems of cement, it was not suitable for use as a raw material for cement. Thus, to replace Japanese coal ash with the domestic pond ash, it is necessary to introduce the adjustment of mixture proportion of cement raw materials and the process of removing chloride in the pond ash.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.475-487
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• 2023

We surveyed the distribution of soil layers on Dongdo and Seodo of Dokdo and measured the physical properties of the soils. To investigate the distribution of soil layers, the soil depth was measured directly in accessible locations, and visual observations of inaccessible locations were carried out using drones and boats. Soil depths ranged from 3 to 50 cm, and most soil layers had depths of 10~20 cm. Based on these results, a map of the soil layer was drawn using 5 cm intervals for soil depth. To analyze the soil characteristics of Dokdo, soil samples were collected from 13 locations on Dongdo and 13 locations on Seodo, in consideration of various geological settings. According to the results of grain size distribution tests, sand contents were >75%, and soil from Seodo contained more gravel-sized particles than that from Dongdo. Using the unified soil classification system (USCS) and textural classification chart of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), most of the soil samples from Dokdo are classified as sand, and some are classified as loamy or clayey sand. In addition, well-graded loamy or clayey sands are more common in Dongdo, and poorly graded sands with gravel are more common in Seodo. These results are expected to be important for studying soil characteristics on Dokdo.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.583-596
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• 2022

The rock surface of Bangudae petroglyphs is mainly dark brown hornfelsified shales by contact metamorphism. The surface form a weathered layer of a invariable depth, and there is a difference with mineral and chemical composition between weathered and non-weathered layers. Surface of the petroglyphs has been discolored to light brown over the face due to biological and chemical weathering. As the measuring chromaticity based on the non-weathered layer, the whiteness and yellowness increased in the weathered layer, and the color difference (ΔE) was 5.54 to 36.89 (mean 17.26). In the weathered layer of the petroglyph surface, the CaO content was reduced by about 90% compared to the non-weathered layer, and Sr also showed the same trend. In particular, the mean porosity of the non-weathered layer was 0.4%, but it was estimated as 25.0% in the weathered layer. This is interpreted as the fact that calcite reacts with water, and forms a weathered layer from the surface as it is eluted. Based on the weathering depth modeling of the petroglyphs using the penetration characteristics of X-rays, the weathering depth of rock faces was found to be 1 to 2mm. However, the area classified as 2mm or more estimated to be a maximum of 3 to 4mm, considering the weathering depth around the petroglyphs surface.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.271-279
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• 2008

Polymetallic sulphides means hydrothermally formed deposits of sulphide minerals which contain concentrations of metals including, inter alia, copper, lead, zinc, gold and silver. Nautilus is the first company to commercially explore the seafloor polymetallic sulphide deposits. The Company holds exploration licences and exploration applications for more than 370,000 $km^2$ in the jurisdictional seas of Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Tonga, the Solomon Islands and New Zealand along the western Pacific Ocean's Rim of Fire. Neptune Minerals is also a leading explorer and developer in this field, with exploration licences awarded totalling more than 270,000 $km^2$ in the territorial seas or EEZ of New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Federated States of Micronesia. These two companies now carry out the most active investment activities for seafloor polymetallic sulphide deposits with a goal of commercial production by 2010. China and Japan carry out exploration activities for the seafloor polymetallic sulphide deposits to secure supplies of strategic metals. China carries out national R&D projects relating to deep sea mineral resources in the world ocean through China Ocean Mineral Resources R&D Association(COMRA). And Japan investigates her own EEZ for exploration of the seafloor polymetallic sulphide deposits. In consideration of aforementioned international activities of coastal nations as well as private companies for exploring the sulphide deposits, Korea shall prepare strategic plans : First, consolidation of the authorities concerned and legislative support; second, determination of main entity of the project; third, securing government's decisive investment of sufficient budget; and lastly, establishment of the mid, long-term plan for development of seafloor polymetallic sulphides deposits.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.253-261
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• 2024

Olivine, a major mineral in the upper mantle with strong intrinsic elastic anisotropy, plays a crucial role in seismic anisotropy in the mantle, primarily through its lattice preferred orientation (LPO). Despite this, the influence of the microstructure of mylonitic rocks on seismic anisotropy remains inadequately understood. Notably, there is a current research gap concerning seismic anisotropy directly inferred from mylonitic peridotite massifs in Korea. In this study, we introduce the deformation microstructure and LPO of olivine in the mantle shear zone. We calculate the characteristics of seismic anisotropy based on the degree of deformation (proto-mylonite, mylonite, ultra-mylonite) and establish correlations between these characteristics. Our findings reveal that the seismic anisotropy resulting from the olivine LPO in the ultra-mylonitic rock appears to be the weakest, whereas the seismic anisotropy resulting from the olivine LPO in the proto-mylonitic rock appears to be the strongest. The results demonstrate a gradual decrease in seismic anisotropy as the fabric strength (J-index) of olivine LPO diminishes, irrespective of the specific pattern of olivine's LPO. Moreover, all samples exhibit a polarization direction of the fast S-wave aligned subparallel to the lineation. This suggests that seismic anisotropy originating from olivine in mylonitic peridotites is primarily influenced by fabric strength rather than LPO type. Considering these distinctive characteristics of seismic anisotropy is expected to facilitate comparisons and interpretations of the internal mantle structure and seismic data in the Yugu area, Gyeonggi Massif.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.163-171
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• 2024

Changes in the soil layer on Dokdo are important both academically and with regard to sustainable conservation and utilization of the islands. Continuous investigation and observation are necessary, as the soil layer is essential to the growth of plants and, therefore, the islands' ecosystem. Such work was carried out for about 8 years using soil erosion measuring bars, which are durable and facilitate simple monitoring of changes in the soil layer. Each bar comprised a rod measuring 30~50 cm long and 1.5 cm in diameter, and the use of stainless steel afforded resistance to corrosion caused by sea breezes. Six measuring bars were installed in the soil layers of each of two islands, Dongdo and Seodo, and measurements were taken one to three times a year from 2014 to 2021. The field measurements indicate that soil was deposited on Dongdo but eroded on Seodo during the observation period. As the measuring bars on Dongdo were located in the central and lower parts of the island, the observed changes in the soil layer resulted mainly from sedimentation of material eroded by weathering or soil runoff from the upper part of the island. In contrast, the measurement locations on Seodo were located in the upper and central parts of the island, where soil erosion and runoff diminished the soil layer at the observation points.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.250-259
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• 2018

We investigated the petrological features of the stone materials used in the Jeolla Usuyeong rampart and estimated their provenance through the geological survey. The Jeolla Usuyeong was designated as a historic site (No. 535) on 2016. Since the remaining rampart is less than 15%, it is necessary to make conservation on it. In this study, we discriminated the stone materials used for the rampart according to their petrographic characteristics and estimated the volume proportion of each stone by the rock type. Also, we measured the whole-rock magnetic susceptibility. The petrographic features of the stones in the rampart were compared with those in the vicinity by their mineral composition and texture. The stone materials of the rampart mainly consist of the tuff, lapilli tuff, and lapilli stone. Among these three kinds of rocks, lapilli tuff is quantitatively the most abundant (60.3%), the next is tuff (34.7%), and lapilli stone (2.5%) shows the least amount. The whole-rock magnetic susceptibility of the tuffaceous rocks can be divided by the value of $1.0{\times}10^{-3}$ SI unit. Also, the compressive strength of tuff exhibits about 156 MPa, which is adequate to reuse for the repairing work. Petrological comparisons between stone materials and outcrop rocks distributed around the Hwawon peninsula leads to a conclusion that the stone materials of the rampart are likely to have been delivered from the Dongoeri and Sindeok-ri. Judging from the results of the comparison on the frequency of use and physical properties among the tuffaceous rocks, tuff is considered to suitable for restoring the rampart.