• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.317-333
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• 2014

The Pocheon iron (-copper) deposit, located at the northwestern part of the Precambrian Gyeonggi massif in South Korea, genetically remains controversial. Previous researchers advocated a metamorphosed (-exhalative) sedimentary origin for iron enrichment. In this study, we present strong evidences for skarnification and Fe mineralization, spatially associated with the Myeongseongsan granite. The Pocheon deposit is composed of diverse carbonate rocks such as dolostone and limestone which are partially overprinted by various hydrothermal skarns such as sodic-calcic, calcic and magnesian skarn. Iron (-copper) mineralization occurs mainly in the sodic-calcic skarn zone, locally superimposed by copper mineralization during retrograde stage of skarn. Age data determined on phlogopites from retrograde skarn stage by Ar-Ar and K-Ar methods range from $110.3{\pm}1.0Ma$ to $108.3{\pm}2.8Ma$, showing that skarn iron mineralization in the Pocheon is closely related to the shallow-depth Myeongseongsan granite (ca. 112 Ma). Carbon-oxygen isotopic depletions of carbonates in marbles, diverse skarns, and veins can be explained by decarbonation and interaction with an infiltrating hydrothermal fluids in open system ($XCO_2=0.1$). The results of sulfur isotope analyses indicate that both of sulfide (chalcopyrite-pyrite composite) and anhydrites in skarn have very high sulfur isotope values, suggesting the $^{34}S$ enrichment of the Pocheon sulfide and sulfate sulfur was derived from sulfate in the carbonate protolith. Shear zones with fractures in the Pocheon area channeled the saline, high $fO_2$ hydrothermal fluids, resulting in locally developed intense skarn alteration at temperature range of about $500^{\circ}$ to $400^{\circ}C$.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.323-343
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• 2018

This study defines the mineralogical, micro-textural and geochemical characteristics for the carbonate rocks and discusses the fluids that have affected the depositional environment of the Lower Makgol Formation in Seokgaejae section. Based on analysis of X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (SEM-EDS), Electron Probe Micro Analyzer-Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EPMA-WDS) and Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), carbonate miorofacies in the basal and the lower members of the Makgol Formation are distinguished and classified into four types. Type 1 dolomite (xenotopic interlocking texture) and Type 2 dolomite (idiotopic interlocking texture) have relatively high Mg/Ca ratio, flat REE pattern, low Fe and Mn. Extensively interlocking textures in these dolomites indicate constant supply of Mg ion from hypersaline brine. Type 3 and Type 4 dolomite (scattered and loosely-aggregated texture) have relatively moderate Mg/Ca ratio, MREE enriched pattern, low to high Fe and Mn. These partial dolomitization indicate limited supply of Mg ion under the influx of meteoric water with seawater. Also, the evidence of Fe-bearing minerals, recrystallization and relatively high Fe and Mn in Type 4 indicates the influence of secondary diagenetic fluids under suboxic conditions. Integrating geochemical data with mineralogical and micro-textural evidence, the discrepancy between the basal and the lower members of the Makgol Formation indicates different sedimentary environment. It suggest that hypersaline brine have an influence on the basal member, while mixing meteoric water with seawater have an effect on the lower member of the Makgol Formation.

• 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.31 no.4
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• pp.307-323
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• 2018

The Inseong Au-Ag and base metal deposit, located in Chungchengbuk-do, Korea, consists of series of quartz veins filling fissures. The deposit occurs in Hwanggangri meta-sediment formation, a lime pebble-bearing phyllite, in the Okcheon Supergroup. Abundant ore minerals in the deposit are pyrite, arsenopyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite and galena. The gangue minerals are quartz, calcite and chlorite. Hydrothermal alteration such as chlorization, silicitication, sericitization and carbonitization can be observed around the quartz veins. 4 vein stages can be distinguished based on its paragenetic sequence, vein structure, alteration features and ore minerals. Microthermometry of the fluid inclusion assemblages occur in the veins are conducted to reconstruct a hydrothermal P-T evolution. Fluid inclusions in clean and barren quartz vein in stage 1 have Th of $270{\sim}342^{\circ}C$ and salinity of 1.7~6.4 (NaCl eqiv.) wt%. Euhedral quartz crystal in stage 2 have Th of $108{\sim}350^{\circ}C$ and salinity of 0.5~7.5 wt%. Barren milky quartz vein in stage 3 have Th of $174{\sim}380^{\circ}C$ and salinity of 0.8~7.5 wt%. Calcite vein in stage 4 have Th of $103{\sim}265^{\circ}C$ and salinity of 0.7~6.4 wt%. Calculated paleodepth about 0.5~1.5 km (hydrostatic pressure) indicate epithermal ore-forming condition. Shallow depth but relatively high-T hydrothermal fluids possibly create a steep geothermal gradient, sufficient for base metal precipitation in the Inseong deposit.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.75-87
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• 2003

The Haman-Gunbuk mineralized area is located within the Cretaceous Gyeongsang Basin along the southeastern part of the Korean peninsula. Major ore minerals, magnetite, scheelite, molybdenite and chalcopyrite, together with base-metal sulfides and minor sulfosalts, occur in fissure-filling tourmaline, quartz and carbonates veins contained within Cretaceous sedimentary and volcanic rocks anu/or granodiorite (118{\pm}$3.0 Ma). The ore and gangue mineral paragenesis can be divided into three distinct stages: Stage 1, tourmaline+quartz+Fe-Cu ore mineralization; Stage II, quartz+sulfides+sulfosalts+carbonates; Stage 111, barren calcite. Earliest fluids are recorded in stage I and early por-tions of stage II veins as hypersaline (35~70 equiv. wt.% NaCl+KCl) and vapor-rich inclusions which homogenize from ~30$0^{\circ}C$ to $\geq$50$0^{\circ}C$. The high-salinity fluids are complex chloride brines with significant concentrations of sodium, potassium, iron, copper, and sulfur, though sulfide minerals are not associated with the early mineral assemblage produced by this fluid. Later solutions circulated through newly formed fractures and reopened veins, and are recorded as lower-salinity(less than ~20 equiv. wt.% NaCl) fluid inclusions which homogenize primarily from ~200 to 40$0^{\circ}C$. The oxygen and hydrogen isotopic compositions of fluid in the Haman-Gunbuk hydrothermal system represents a progressive shift from magmatic-hydrothermal dominance during early mineralization stage toward meteoric-hydrothermal dominance during late mineralization stage. The earliest hydrothermal fiuids to circu-late within the granodiorite stock localiring the ore body at Haman-Gunbuk could have exsolved from the crystal-lizing magma and unmixed into hypersaline liquid and $H_2O$-NaCl vapor. As these magmatic fluids moved throughfractures, tourmaline and early Fe, W, Mo, Cu ore mineralization occurred without concomitant deposition of othersulfides and sulfosalts. Later solutions of dominantly meteoric origin progressively formed hypogene copper and base-metal sulfides, and sulfosalt mineralization.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.38 no.4 s.173
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• pp.435-450
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• 2005

The purpose of the study is to analyze the hydrogeochemical characteristics by multivariate statistical method, to interpret the hydrogeochemical processes for the new variables calculated from principal components analysis (PCA), and to infer the groundwater flow and circulation mechanism by applying the geostatistical methods for each element and principal component. Chloride and nitrate are the most influencing components for groundwater quality, and the contents of $NO_3$ increased by the input of agricultural activities show the largest variation. The results of PCA, a multivariate statistical method, show that the first three principal components explain $73.9\%$ of the total variance. PC1 indicates the increase of dissolved ions, PC2 is related with the dissolution of carbonate minerals and nitrate contamination, and PC3 shows the effect of cation exchange process and silicate mineral dissolution. From the results of experimental semivariogram, the components of groundwater are divided into two groups: one group includes electrical conductivity (EC), Cl, Na, and $NO_3$, and the other includes $HCO_3,\;SiO_2,$ Ca, and Sr. The results for spatial distribution of groundwater components showed that EC, Cl, and Na increased with approaching the coastal line and nitrate has close relationship with the presence of agricultural land. These components are also correlated with the topographic features reflecting the groundwater recharge effect. The kriging analysis by using principal components shows that PC 1 has the different spatial distribution of Cl, Na, and EC, possibly due to the influence of pH, Ca, Sr, and $HCO_3$ for PC1. It was considered that the linear anomaly zone of PC2 in western area was caused by the dissolution of carbonate mineral. Consequently, the application of multivariate and geostatistical methods for groundwater in the study area is very useful for determining the quantitative analysis of water quality data and the characteristics of spatial distribution.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.167-174
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• 1993

Limited geochemical components have been detected in fluid inclusions from ore deposits in south Korea by non-destructive and destructive analytical methods. Review of fluid inclusion studies display that the homogenization temperatures and salinities are in direct proportion. W and Cu ore deposits tend to show higher homogenization temperatures and salinities than Au ore deposits. Abundant halite-bearing fluid inclusions from the Eonyang Granite producing precious amethyst crystals may indicate that the initial fluid originated from magma is highly saline as shown by the quartz from the granite. Raman Laser microprobe detected $CO_2$, $N_2$ and $CH_4$ in a gold deposit, while these components are hardly detected from other deposits, even though destrucive analysis has dectected $CO_2$, $N_2$, $CH_4$, $H_2S$, and $SO_2$ from most of ore deposits. Individual fluid inclusion shows quite different components. These results suggest that large numbers of fluid inclusions should be analysed by Raman Laser microprobe to gain reliable data. Halite-bearing inclusion is hardly found in fluid inclusions from epithermal gold deposits in south Korea. Geochemistry, homogeinzation temperature and salinity of fluid inclusions may be useful to apply for exploration to find a concealed orebody.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.139-159
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• 2008

Geochemical analysis of the various kinds of water including observation borehole groundwater was carried out for the assessment of the hydrological safety of the underground oil storage cavern and the potentiality of mineralogical and microbiological clogging was estimated. Most of water samples belonged to $Ca-HCO_3$ and $Ca-HCO_3-SO_4$ types. There was no distinct chemical difference in the various kinds of water. All kinds of water are undersaturated with the calcite which is the major clogging mineral. Most water samples have low Fe and Mn concentrations. However, they are saturated or oversaturated with the iron-oxide/hydroxide minerals and have high dissolved oxygen contents which suggests the possibility of clogging by the iron-oxide/hydroxide minerals as a long-term aspect. Several water samples from the ground observation borehole also show the high saturation indices far the clay minerals, which can fill up the fractures, indicating the possibility of clogging by the clay minerals. Statistical analysis shows the degree of mineral precipitation or dissolution is mainly controlled by pH, Eh and DO of water samples. According to the microbial analysis, the aerobic microbes and slime forming bacteria are dominant in most water samples and anaerobic microbes including sulfate reducing bacteria are very low or not detected. Although the slime forming bacteria which are known as a main microbial cause of the clogging is lower than $10^5\;CFUs/mL$ in all water samples, because the slime forming bacteria are dominant microbe in several observation boreholes, the clogging can be caused by it as a long-term aspect. In addition, the possibility of clogging can be increased if the microbial effect is combined with the mineralogical effect such as iron oxide/hydroxide minerals for the possibility of clogging. Therefore, the systematic and long-term program for the assessment of clogging is required for the safe operation of underground oil storage cavern.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.539-546
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• 2019

Global warming has mentioned as one of the international problems and these researches have conducted. Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) technology has improved due to increasing importance of reducing emission of carbon dioxide. Among of various CCUS technologies, mineral carbonation can converted $CO_2$ into high-cost materials with low energy. Existing researches has been used ions extracted solid wastes for mineral carbonation but the procedure is complicated. However, the procedure using seawater is simple because it contained high concentration of metal cation. This research is a basic study using seawater-based wastewater for mineral carbonation. 3 M Monoethanolamine (MEA) was used as $CO_2$ absorbent. Making various concentrations of seawater solution, simulated seawater powder was used. Precipitated metal carbonate salts were produced by mixing seawater solutions and $rich-CO_2$ absorbent solution. They were analyzed by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and studied characteristic of producing precipitated metal carbonate and possibility of reusing absorbent.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.1-22
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• 2005

Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) is the greatest contributor among the major greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol. Therefore, substantial efforts for the control and reduction of $CO_2$ emissions, including increased efficiency of fossil fuel energy usage, development of energy sources with lower carbon content, and increased reliability on alternative energy sources, are being performed worldwide. However, development and industrial application of $CO_2$ sequestration techniques are needed to meet the requirements of the Kyoto Protocol. Among the $CO_2$ sequestration methods developed, geological sequestration methods such as the storage in deep aquifers, deep coal seams and oil and gas reservoirs and the mineral carbonation is considered most favorable because of its stability and environmental effectiveness. In this review, geochemical concepts and technologic development of geologic sequestration technology, especially the storage in deep aquifers and the mineral carbonation, are discussed. The weakness and strengths for each of geologic sequestration methods, are also reviewed.