• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.749-761
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• 2022

As the number of National and UNESCO Global Geoparks has increased, awareness of geological heritage and local government interests have also increased. In this study, data from the geological heritage sites in the Ulsan area were summarized, a practical use plan for geological heritage was prepared based on the assessment results, and the expected effects were also presented. The value for 33 of 112 geological heritage sites identified through literature surveys was evaluated. In terms of the geological heritage types in Ulsan, there were two geological, one geomorphological, and thirty mixed-heritage sites. In the context of the geological heritage of Ulsan, rivers and coastal topography were found to be dominant, and various geomorphological and geological features, such as fossils, folds, faults, shear zones, minerals, and ore deposits are included. Based on the assessment results, there were three, eighteen, nine, and three sites in Classes I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Considering the intrinsic and subsidiary values of geological heritage, the Gangdong Coast, Jujeon Coast, Taehwagang area, Daewangam area, the Daegokri-Cheonjeonri track sites, and Mujechineup are likely to be listed as potential geosites. When the endorsement of the geopark has been promoted alongside these geosites, it can contribute to the sustainable preservation and maintenance of the geosites, satisfy the demand for science education through geo-education, and support the sustainable development of the local economy following the detailed standards for geopark certification in the Natural Parks Act. This is expected to increase the brand value of Ulsan Metropolitan City.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.318-326
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• 2022

The Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) recommends that 17% of the land be designated as a protected area to counter global environmental problems. Korea also realized a need to designate protected areas according to the international level and explain the significance of designating protected areas. Accordingly, studies on ecosystem services are required. In Korea, the protected areas are designated as national parks, provincial parks, and county parks by hierarchy under the Natural Parks Act. However, as priority was on political and administrative aspects, research on ecosystem service value evaluation and habitat management were concentrated in national parks, and provincial and county parks were relatively neglected. Therefore, more studies on provincial and county parks are necessary. In this study, habitat quality for Gajisan Provincial Park, where there were few studies on habitat management and ecosystem service valuation, was evaluated using the InVEST Habitat Quality model among the InVEST models. The analysis results were compared with 16 mountainous national parks. The results showed that the habitat quality value of Gajisan Provincial Park was 0.83, higher than that of the surrounding areas. The analysis of habitat quality in three districts showed 0,84 for the Tongdosa and Naewonsa districts and 0.83 for the Seoknamsa district. By use district, the nature conservation district, the natural environment district, the cultural heritage district, and the park village district had the highest habitat quality value in that order. Compared with the existing habitat quality analysis results of national parks, Gajisan Provincial Park showed naturalness at the level of Mudeungsan National Park. These results can be used as objective data for establishing policies and management plans to preserve biodiversity and promote ecosystem services in provincial parks.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.73-83
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• 2011

The aim of this paper is to explore the concept, backgrounds of an geopark's origin, and activity of geopark in geography, and to debate the Korean name of the geopark (or geological park) in controversial. Geopark starts with the collaboration between International Geographical Union(IGU) and International Union of Geological Sciences(IUGS). However, the intention which is establishing the law of geopark (or geological park) within a specific academic realm in Korea, would be wrong. The reason for this argument is that activities in Geopark have aspects of the conservation of natural heritage as well as geomorphological and geological one. Therefore, geopark should not be focused upon a specific academic realm. The geological scope alone seems to be limited. That is why "GEO" is more than geology. "GEO" involves geographical and geomorphological issues as well. Within this context, in Korea where is in the quickening period of geopark, the discussion and agreement with the Korean name of geopark are absolutely imperative.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.351-361
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• 2022

Numerical analysis performed to predict the behavior of Ipseok-dae columnar joints in Mudeungsan National Park to understand their stability and movement. The numerical analysis technique, 3DEC, is based on the discrete element method that can analysis discontinuities. The analysis used data for material properties derived from laboratory tests, which found that average density was 2.68 kN/m³, average normal stiffness was 3.15 GPa/m, average shear stiffness was 1.00 GPa/m, average cohesion was 0.51 MPa, and the average friction angle was 33°. The Ipseok-dae columnar joints were modeled on the basis of the field survey data for 15 joints located between the observation platform and the hiking trail. The numerical analysis assessed the behavior of each columnar joint by interpreting the displacement of the edges of its upper and lower surfaces. The greatest maximum displacement was found in columnar joint No. 6, and the greatest minimum displacement was found in joint No. 11. Analyzing the movements of five discontinuities in joint No. 11 indicated that the maximum displacement occurred at the 2nd level. The other levels were ordered 5th, 4th, 1st, and 3rd in terms of subsequent greatest displacements. Considering the total displacement in the 15 studied joints, the Ipseok-dae columnar joints are judged to be stable. However, considering the cultural and historical value of Mudeungsan National Park, it is regarded that the currents slope stability should be maintained by monitoring the individual rock blocks of the joints.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.579-598
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• 2019

We investigated geochemical contaminants and Fe, Al behavior in precipitates of acid mine drainage (AMD) from the Donghae abandoned coal mine, Taebaek, Gangwon Province using aqueous chemical analyses, XRD, IR, and ²⁷Al NMR, Our results showed that water chemistry changed with pH and Eh, and saturation indices of chemical species in the AMD. According to saturation calculated by visual MINTEQ, the AMD was saturated with various Fe-, Al-oxyhydroxide minerals. Reddish brown precipitates are composed of schwertmannite, ferrihydrite, and goethite, whereas whitish precipitates are composed mostly of alumimous minerals such as poorly crystallized basaluminite with trace Al₁₃-Tridecamer. It is important to apply active treatment methods rather than simple storage pond and to control the precipitation and solubility of iron species and aluminous species for ensuring remediation and control for the AMD discharged from the Donghae abandoned coal mine.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.257-273
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• 2023

Hydrochemical characteristics and microbial communities of spring (Samtong), surface water, and groundwater in Cheorwon, Korea, were analyzed. Field surveys and water quality analyses were undertaken at 10 sampling points for five spring, two surface, and three groundwater samples on 15 December 2022. Hydrochemical analysis revealed that most water samples were Ca-HCO₃ type and that water-rock interactions were the predominant mineral source. Radon concentrations were <1 kBq m^-3 for surface water, 1~10 kBq m^-3 for spring water, and 1~1,000 kq m^-3 for groundwater. Microbial cluster analysis showed that the main phyla were Proteobacteria, Planctomyceta, Verrucomicrobia, Acidobacteria, and Actinomycetota.Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis indicated that water temperature, pH, and Si content were closely related to microorganism content. NMDS and canonical correspondence analysis results revealed that environmental factors affecting spring water were temperature, and Mg and Si concentrations, particularly for Acidobacteria and Proteobacteria, and Pseudomonas brenneri. Both hydrochemical and microbial community analyses yielded similar results at some spring and groundwater sampling points, likely due to the effects of a basalt aquifer.