• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.325-337
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• 2002

We examined the contamination of stream water and stream sediments by heavy metal elements with respect to distance from the abandoned Backun Au-Ag-Cu mine. High contents of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, Mn, and Fe) and aluminum in the waters connected with mining and associated deposits (dumps, tailings) reduce water quality. In the mining area, Ca and SO$_4$ are predominant cation and anion. The mining water is Ca-SO$_4$ type and is enriched in heavy metals resulted from the weathering of sulfide minerals. This mine drainage water is weakly acid or neutral (pH; 6.5-7.1) because of neutralizing effect by other alkali and alkaline earth elements. The effluent from the mine adit is also weakly acid or neutral, and contains elevated concentrations of most elements due to reactions with ore and gangue minerals in the deposit. The concentration of ions in the Backun mining water is high in the mine adit drainage water and steeply decreased award to down stream. Buffering process can be reasonably considered as a partial natural control of pollution, since the ion concentration becomes lower and the pH value becomes neutralized. In order to evaluate mobility and bioavailability of metals, sequential extraction was used for stream sediments into five operationally defined groups: exchangeable, bound to carbonates, bound to FeMn oxide, bound to organic matter, and residual. The residual fraction was the most abundant pool for Cu(2l-92%), Zn(28-89%) and Pb(23-94%). Almost sediments are low concentrated with Cd(2.7-52.8 mg/kg) than any other elements. But Cd dominate with non stable fraction (68-97%). Upper stream sediments are contaminated with Pb, and down area sediments are enriched with Zn. It is indicate high mobility of Zn and Cd.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2003

Geochemical characteristics of groundwater in the different kinds of various lithology such as Haman formation, Panyaweol formation, Jusan andesitic formation and Palgongsan granite is distinguished by mineralogical and chemical compositions. The Concentration of the majority of solutes in groundwaters of Haman and Panyaweol formation is higher than in that of andesite and granite. Higher concentration of $HCO_3^{-}{\;}and{\;}SO_4^{2-}$ anions in the groundwater is peculiar. High concentrations of $Ca^{2+},{\;}Mg^{2+},{\;}HCO_3^{-}$ in the groundwaters of the sedimentary rocks result mainly from reaction of $CO^{2-}$ charged water with calcite and weathered feldspars. With the Piper diagram, the groundwaters of Haman formations are mainly plotted in $CaSO_4-CaCl_2$ type, whereas those of Panyaweol formations are plotted in the bothside of $Ca(HCO_3)_2{\;}and{\;}CaSO_4-CaCl_2$ type. Thses two different types of $Ca(HCO_3)_2{\;}and{\;}CaSO_4-CaCl_2$ groundwater were originated from dissolution of calcite($Ca(HCO_3)_2)$ and the oxidation of pyrite($CaSO_4-CaCl_2$), respectively. And it also is influenced by anthropogenic contamination. Three factors were extracted from the factor analysis for chemical data. Factor 1, controlled by $SO_4^{2-},{\;}Na^{+},{\;}Ca^{2+}$ and Fe, explains the dissolution of calcite, plagioclase and oxidation of pyrite. Factor 2, controlled by $HCO_3^{-}{\;}and{\;}Mg^{2+}$, mainly explains the dissolution of Mg-carbonates and dolomitization. Factor 3, controlled by $Cl^{-},{\;}K^{+}{\;}and{\;}NO_3^{-}$, is subject to the influence of artificial pollution including industrial waste water disposal. In this study area, some industrial complex which is close to Keumho river show the higher score of factor 3.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.411-425
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• 2021

The Stupa of State Preceptor Jigwang from Beopcheonsa Temple Site in Wonju (National Treasure) is a representative stupa of the Goryeo Dynasty, with outstanding Buddhist carvings and splendid patterns, clearly indicating its honoree and year of construction. However, it was destroyed by bombing during the Korean War (1950-1953) and repaired and restored with cement and reinforcing bars in 1957. The surface condition of the original stone shows long-term deterioration due to the m ortar used in past restorations. In order to identify the exact causes of deterioration, the m ortar and surface contaminants on the original stone were analyzed. Portlandite, calcite, ettringite, and gypsum from the mortar were identified, and its ongoing deterioration was observed through pH measurements and the neutralization reaction test. Analysis of surface contaminants identified calcite and gypsum, both poorly water-soluble substances, and their growth in volume among rock-forming minerals was observed by microscopy. Based on those results, semi-quantitative analysis of Ca and S contents significantly influencing the formation of salt crystals was conducted using P-XRF to analyze the basis of surface deterioration, and cross-validation was performed by comparing the body stone affected by the mortar and the upper stylobate stone unaffected by the mortar. Results indicate that the elements are directly involved in the surface deterioration of the body stone.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.717-726
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• 2022

This study was conducted to assess the geochemical contamination degree of As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb, and Zn in the soil and water samples from an abandoned gold mine. Enrichment Factor (EF), Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), and Pollution Load Index (PLI) were carried out to assess the geochemical contamination degree of the soil samples. Variations of sulfate and heavy metals concentration in water samples were determined to identify the geochemical distribution with respect to the distance from the mine tailing dam. Geochemical pollution indices indicated significant contaminated with As, Cd, Pb, and Zn in the soil samples that areas close to the mine tailing dam, while, Sb showed similar indices in all soil samples. These results indicated that the As, Cd, Pb, and Zn dispersion has occurred via anthropogenic sources, such as mining activities. In terms of water samples, anomalies in the concentrations of As, Cd, Zn, and SO₄^2- was determined at specific area, in addition, the concentrations of the elements gradually decreased with distance. This result implies the heavy metals distribution in water has carried out by the weathering of sulfide minerals in the mine tailing and soil. The study area has been conducted the remediation of contaminated soil in the past, however, the geochemical dispersion of heavy metals was supposed to be occurred from the potential contamination source. Therefore, continuous monitoring of the soil and water is necessary after the completion of remediation.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.71-80
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• 2001

To understand paleoceanographic environmental changes in the Esat Sea during the transitional period between Holocene and last glacial maximum, geochemical high resolution study was conducted by using a piston core(95PC-1) samples collected from the southernmost part of the Ulleung Basin. Geochemical results reveal that major distinctive paleoceanographic variations in transitional period are prominent. Major elemental concentrations show distinctive variations between glacial and Holocene suggesting changes in sediment supply. $TiO_2/Al_2O_3$ ratio of the sediment indicates different sediment composition between Holocene and glacial period. The content of total organic carbon ranging from 0.5% to 4% during transitional period. These vslues showed 2-4 times and two times higher than those of last glacial and Holocene, respectively. The C/N ratios deduced from organic matters exceed10 during transitional period suggesting terrigenous organic matter are supplied from continent, especially during last glacial maximum. Carbonate contents are relatively stable during Holocene and last glacial maximum with gradual decrease during glacial period with high fluctuation during transitional period. The variations of chemical index of weathering (CIW) also show a distinctive variation between glacial and Holocene, which is coincident with those of carbonate and organic carbon. The grain size distribution indicates that the difference content of silt fraction during Holocene and glacial period is closely related with climatic effect during glacial period. Therefore geochemical differences in sediment composition between Holocene and last glacial maximum is thought to be related to paleoceanographic, sea-level change and local paleoclimatic changes.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.233-244
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• 2012

Goseong bay, located in southeast sea of Korea with an area of 2,100 ha, is a semi-enclosed bay well-known for oyster farming cultured in an extended range of 148 ha. The objective of this study is to provide the fundamental data in order to manage the effective sea area. A total 26 of surface sediment were collected from Goseong bay to evaluate their sedimentary environment and heavy metals. The loss on Ignition (LOI), C/N ratio, acid volatile sulfide (AVS) and heavy metals were analyzed. loss on ignition (LOI) of surface sediment range from 1.00% to 3.03% (average 2.00%). The carbonate content ranges from 0.52% to 4.29% (average 2.37%). C/N ratio of organic matter showed that most part of organic matter comes from neighboring continent. Acid volatile sulfide (AVS) value of surface sediment from 0.02 mg/g to 1.43 mg/g (average 0.24 mg/g). A ten element of surface sediments (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, V, Zn) were calculated by enrichment factor (Ef) and the results show that some areas are highly polluted with respect Cu and Hg. The correlation matrix displays the existence of remarkable levels of correlation with both positive and negative values among different variable pairs. LOI and AVS showed both positive values. LOI and AVS values falls under 2% and 1%. Therefore, Goseong bay showed good in quality of sediment.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.403-412
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• 2009

The objective of this study is to investigate the geochemical change of feldspar minerals by supercritical $CO_2$, which exists at $CO_2$ sequestration sites. High pressurized cell system (100 bar and $50^{\circ}C$) was designed to create supercritical $CO_2$ in the cell and the surface change and the dissolution of plagioclase and orthoclase were observed when the mineral surface reacted with supercritical $CO_2$ and water (or without water) for 30 days. The polished slab surface of feldspar was contacted with supercritical $CO_2$ and an artificial brine water (pH 8) in the experiments. The experiments for the reaction of feldspar with only supercritical $CO_2$ (without brine water) were also conducted. Results from the first experiment showed that the average roughness value of the plagioclase surface was 0.118 nm before the reaction, but it considerably increased to 2.493 nm after 30 days. For the orthoclase, the average roughness increased from 0.246 nm to 1.916 nm, suggesting that the dissolution of feldspar occurs in active when the feldspars contact with supercritical $CO_2$ and brine water at $CO_2$ sequestration site. The dissolution of $Ca^{2+}$ and $Na^+$ from the plagioclase occurred and a certain part of them precipitated inside of the high pressurized cell as the form of amorphous silicate mineral. For the orthoclase, $Al^{3+}$, $K^+$, and $Si^{+4}$ were dissolved in order and the kaolinite was precipitated. In the experiments without water, the change of the average roughness value and the dissolution of feldspar scarcely occurred, suggesting that the geochemical reaction of feldspars contacted with supercritical $CO_2$ at the environment without the brine water is not active.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.241-259
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• 2022

In general, the REE were produced by mining conventional deposits, such as the carbonatite or the clay-hosted REE deposits. However, because of the recent demand increase for REE in modern industries, unconventional REE deposits emerged as a necessary research topic. Among the unconventional REE recovery methods, the REE-bearing coal deposits are recently receiving attentions. R-types generally have detrital originations from the bauxite deposits, and show LREE enriched REE patterns. Tuffaceous-types are formed by syngenetic volcanic activities and following input of volcanic ash into the basin. This type shows specific occurrence of the detrital volcanic ash-driven minerals and the authigenic phosphorous minerals focused at narrow horizon between coal seams and tonstein layers. REE patterns of tuffaceous-types show flat shape in general. Hydrothermal-types can be formed by epigenetic inflow of REE originated from granitic intrusions. Occurrence of the authigenic halogen-bearing phosphorous minerals and the water-bearing minerals are the specific characteristics of this type. They generally show HREE enriched REE patterns. Each type of REE-bearing coal deposits may occur by independent genesis, but most of REE-bearing coal deposits with high REE concentrations have multiple genesis. For the case of the US, the rare earth oxides (REO) with high purity has been produced from REE-bearing coals and their byproducts in pilot plants from 2018. Their goal is to supply about 7% of national REE demand. For the coal deposits in Korea, lignite layers found in Gyungju-Yeongil coal fields shows coexistence of tuff layers and coal seams. They are also based in Tertiary basins, and low affection from compaction and coalification might resulted into high-REE tuffaceous-type coal deposits. Thus, detailed geologic researches and explorations for domestic coal deposits are required.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.38 no.5 s.174
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• pp.547-561
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• 2005

General characteristics of groundwater contamination by As were reviewed with several recent researches, and its occurrence in groundwater of Korea was investigated based on a ffw previous studies and a groundwater quality survey in Nonsan and Geumsan areas. In Bangladesh, which has been known as the most serious arsenic calamity country, about $28\%$ of the shallow groundwaters exceeded the Bangladesh drinking water standard, $50{\mu}g/L$, and it was estimated that about 28 million people were exposed to concentrations greater than the standard. Groundwater was characterized by circum-neutral pH with a moderate to strong reducing conditions. Low concentrations of $SO_4^{2-}$ and $NO_3^-$, and high contents of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and $NH_4^+$ were typical chemical characteristics. Total As concentrations were enriched in the Holocene alluvial aquifers with a dominance of As(III) species. It was generally agreed that reductive dissolution of Fe oxyhydroxides was the main mechanism for the release of As into groundwater coupling with the presence of organic matters and microbial activities as principal factors. A new model has also been suggested to explain how arsenic can naturally contaminate groundwaters far from the ultimate source with transport of As by active tectonic uplift and glaciatiion during Pleistocene, chemical weathering and deposition, and microbial reaction processes. In Korea, it has not been reported to be so serious As contamination, and from the national groundwater quality monitoring survey, only about $1\%$ of grounwaters have concentrations higher than $10{\mu}g/:L.$ However, it was revealed that $19.3\%$ of mineral waters, and $7\%$ of tube-well waters from Nonsan and Geumsan areas contained As concentrations above $10{\mu}g/:L.$. Also, percentages exceeding this value during detailed groundwater quality surveys were $36\%\;and\;22\%$ from Jeonnam and Ulsan areas, respectively, indicating As enrichment possibly by geological factors and local mineralization. Further systematic researches need to proceed in areas potential to As contamination such as mineralized, metasedimentary rock-based, alluvial, and acid sulfate soil areas. Prior to that, it is required to understand various geochemical and microbial processes, and groundwater flow characteristics affecting the behavior of As.