• 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.23 no.4
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• pp.369-381
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• 1990

Most of significant ore deposits in South Korea such as the Sangdong W - Mo, the Yeonhwa Pb-Zn and the Geodo Cu-Fe skarn ore deposits occur at the southern limb of the Hambaeg syncline in the Taebaeg Basin. The mineralization took place in the interbedded limestone of the Myobong Formation and the Pungchon limestone of the Great Limestone Group of the Cambrian age, generally striking E-W and dipping 25-30 degrees north. There are no outcrops of the skarn-type orebody at the northern limb of the syncline. In order to find a clue of a possible hidden orebody localized at the limestones in the northern limb, a lithogeochemical exploration by using carbon isotope and some elements such as Si, Ca, Fe and Al at the Sangdong Mine area has been attempted as for a modelling study. For this study, 45 samples from the Pungchon limestone which do not show any megascopic indication of mineralization have been taken in both the mineralized zone and the unminerallized zone at the Sangdong Mine area. Analytical data show that there are big differences in the contents of CaO and $Al_2O_3$ between the Pungchon limestone of the mineralized zone and that of the unmineralized zone. Carbon isotope data exhibit that ${\delta}^{13}C$ values of the Pungchon limestone in the mineralized zone are highter than those in the unmineralized zone. The difference in the analytical values of CaO, $Al_2O_3$ and the carbon isotope between the mineralized and the unmineralized zones is as follows ; Unminerallized zone Mineralized zone CaO 51.3% 43.5% $Al_2O_3$ 0.6% 2.4% ${\delta}^{13}C$ -0.39 permil -0.56 permil $Fe_2O_3$ 0.9% 1.4% $SiO_2$ 3.0% 2.4% The decrease in the Si content of the Pungchon limestone in the mineralized zone is contrary to the result of the previous study (Moon, 1987). On the basis of identification of the increase in the Al content of the limestone in the mineralized zone, it could be deduced that the decrease in the Si content of the Pungchon limestone might be due to the result of increase in the alteration products mainly occurred along fracture-system such as joint cracks or minor faults and that the phenomena shown by the Si and Al content in the mineralized zone might be derived from the thermal effect of granite extended mineralizing activity to the overlied limestone on the surface. Higher mean values of Fe and Al as well as lower mean values of carbon content and the ${\delta}^{13}C$ than mean values of those in the Pungchon limestone at the northern limb of the Hambaeg Syncline may be applicable in exploration for blind orebodies.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.380-389
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• 2007

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes were analyzed in suspended particulate organic matter, macroalgae and macrobenthic invertebrates in order to determine the importance of primary organic matter sources in supporting food webs of rocky subtidal and intertidal macroalgal beds in the Korean coasts. Investigations were conducted at the inter tidal sites within Gwangyang bay, a semi-enclosed and eutrophicated bay, and the subtidal sites of the east coast, a relatively oligotrophic and open environment, in May and June 2005. Water-column suspension feeders showed more negative $\delta^{13}C$ values than those of the other feeding guilds, indicating trophic linkage with phytoplankton and thereby association with pelagic food chains. In contrast, animals of the other feeding guilds, including interface suspension feeders, herbivores, deposit feeders, omnivores and predators, displayed relatively less negative $\delta^{13}C$ values than those of the water-column suspension feeders and similar with that of macroalgae, indicating exclusive use of macroalgae-derived organic matter and association with benthic food chains. Most the macrobenthic species were considered to form strong trophic links with benthic food chains. In addition, the distribution of higher $\delta^{15}N$ values in macrobenthic consumers and macroalgae at the intertidal sites of Gwangyang Bay than those at the subtidal sites of the east coast suggests that anthropogenic nutrients may enhance the macroalgal production at the intertidal sites and in turn be incorporated into the particular littoral food web in Gwangyag Bay. These results confirm the dominant role of macroalgae in supporting rocky subtidal and intertidal food webs in the Korean coasts.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.149-160
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• 2007

KoFlux Gwangneung Supersite comprises complex topography and diverse vegetation types (and structures), which necessitate complementary multi-disciplinary measurements to understand energy and matter exchange. Here, we report the results of this ongoing research with special focuses on carbon/water budgets in Gwangneung forest, implications of inter-dependency between water and carbon cycles, and the importance of hydrology in carbon cycling under monsoon climate. Comprehensive biometric and chamber measurements indicated the mean annual net ecosystem productivity (NEP) of this forest to be ${\sim}2.6\;t\;C\;ha^{-1}y^{-1}$. In conjunction with the tower flux measurement, the preliminary carbon budget suggests the Gwangneung forest to be an important sink for atmospheric $CO_2$. The catchment scale water budget indicated that $30\sim40%$ of annual precipitation was apportioned to evapotranspiration (ET). The growing season average of the water use efficiency (WUE), determined from leaf carbon isotope ratios of representative tree species, was about $12{\mu}mol\;CO_2/mmol\;H_2O$ with noticeable seasonal variations. Such information on ET and WUE can be used to constrain the catchment scale carbon uptake. Inter-annual variations in tree ring growth and soil respiration rates correlated with the magnitude and the pattern of precipitation during the growing season, which requires further investigation of the effect of a monsoon climate on the catchment carbon cycle. Additionally, we examine whether structural and functional units exist in this catchment by characterizing the spatial heterogeneity of the study site, which will provide the linkage between different spatial and temporal scale measurements.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.99-110
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• 2022

We investigated physicochemical properties and isotopic compositions of organic matter (δ¹³C_TOC and δ ¹⁵N_TN) in the old fish farming (OFF) site after the cessation of aquaculture farming. Based on this approach, our objective is to determine the organic matter origin and their relative contributions preserved at sediments of fish farming. Temporal and spatial distribution of particulate and sinking organic matter(OFF sites: 2.0 to 3.3 mg L^-1 for particulate matter concentration, 18.8 to 246.6 g m^-2 day^-1 for sinking organic matter rate, control sites: 2.0 to 3.5 mg L^-1 for particulate matter concentration, 25.5 to 129.4 g m^-2 day^-1 for sinking organic matter rate) between both sites showed significant difference along seasonal precipitations. In contrast to variations of δ¹³C_TOC and δ¹⁵N_TN values at water columns, these isotopic compositions (OFF sites: -21.5‰ to -20.4‰ for δ¹³ C_TOC, 6.0‰ to 7.6‰ for δ¹⁵N_TN, control sites: -21.6‰ to -21.0‰ for δ¹³C_TOC, 6.6‰ to 8.0‰ for δ¹⁵N_TN) investigated at sediments have distinctive isotopic patterns(p<0.05) for seawater-derived nitrogen sources, indicating the increased input of aquaculture-derived sources (e.g., fish fecal). With respect to past fish farming activities, representative sources(e.g., fish fecal and algae) between both sites showed significant difference (p<0.05), confirming predominant contribution (55.9±4.6%) of fish fecal within OFF sites. Thus, our results may determine specific controlling factor for sustainable use of fish farming sites by estimating the discriminative contributions of organic matter between both sites.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2016

Wild glass eels found in the Korean peninsula are thought to migrate along the North Equatorial Current and undergo the processes of spawning and incubation in the Mariana Trench. Juveniles of the wild glass eels are collected from the southern and western coasts of the Korean peninsula and used as seeds for aquaculture. To investigate the feeding behavior of wild glass eels, we collected glass eels from the Nakdong River estuary during March and April 2014 and analyzed the total length, wet weight, dry weight, carbon and nitrogen contents, and stable isotope ratio of eels as well as water temperature and salinity. Water temperature in the Nakdong River estuary was $13.2{\pm}1.0$ (mean ${\pm}$ 1SE; range, $10.1{\sim}15.7)^{\circ}C$ and salinity was $24.8{\pm}2.4$ (13.2~34.0), showed a lower range from 13.2 to 30.0 (a mean of 21.2) when the floodgates were opened. The total length of glass eels was $56.5{\pm}0.2$ (51.0~63.6) mm, wet weight was $70.9{\pm}1.4$ (33.6~133.2) mg, and dry weight was $16.5{\pm}0.3$ (10.1~29.1) mg. Carbon and nitrogen contents of glass eels were $51.0{\pm}0.8%$ and $13.9{\pm}0.1%$, respectively. Mean ${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\delta}^{15}N$ values of glass eels collected from the Nakdong River estuary were -20.9±0.2‰ and 6.1±0.1‰, displaying similar values to those of leptocephalus, glass eel larvae collected from the North Equatorial Current. Therefore, this result suggest that the glass eels collected from the Nakdong River estuary do not feed on prey after metamorphosis from eel larvae to glass eels their migration.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.34-47
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• 2009

AMS radiocarbon dates indicated that Eurimji reservoir, located at Jecheon City, Chungbuk Province, has been formed during the late Holocene Epoch. The sedimentary sequence at bottom reveals histories in hydrology, climate conditions and past vegetation dynamics. Ages controlled sedimentological and palynological analyses on ER 3-1 Core contribute to reconstruct paleoclimate and past hydrological conditions. These analyses suggest that lower interval (307.5m~309.5m elevations) of the ER 3-1 Core was deposited in stable from 1,920 yrBP to 1,420 yrBP, but upper layer sediment above these elevations was composed of reworked sediments during the pre and post 2,000 yrBP. Pollen assemblage indicates that watershed vegetation of the Eurimji reservoir, during the period of 1,920 yrBP~1,420 yrBP, was closely comparable to modern vegetation dominated Pinus and Quercus mixed vegetation. Also, riparian including Alnus, Fraxinus and Salix were inhabited along the banks of stream, and aquatics such as Typha, Nymphaea and Persicaria flourished at shore of the reservoir. According to cultural chronicle, it infers that the Eurimji reservoir was formed from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age or the beginning of ancient society. An integrated data suggested that Quercus-Pinus-Abies mixed forest flourished under cool and dry climate conditions during 3,200 yrBP~200 yrBP.

• Journal of the Geological Society of Korea
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.489-499
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• 2018

A series of geological events such as the formation of the Antarctic continental ice sheets, the changes in ocean circulation and a mass extinction after the onset of Oligocene has been studied as major concerns by various researches. However, paleoclimatic and paleoceanographic changes during the most period of Oligocene since the Eocene-Oligocene transition (EOT) still remains unclear. Especially, although the late Oligocene warming (LOW) has been assessed as the largest period in the paleoceanographic changes, the detailed understanding on the changed components is very low. The purpose of this study is the reconstruction of the paleoceanographic history during the late Oligocene using core sediments from IODP Expedition 342 Site U1406 performed in J-Anomaly Ridge in North Atlantic. Because North Atlantic deep water (NADW) has flowed southward through the study area since the early Oligocene, this area has been considered to an important location for studies on the changes of NADW. The core sediment analyzed in this study were deposited from about 26.0 to 26.5 Ma as evidenced by both of onboard and shore-based paleomagnetic data, and this is corresponded to the earliest period of LOW. The sediment profile can be divided into three Units (Unit 1, 2 & 3) based on the changes in both of total number and test size of Oridorsalis umbonatus as well as grain size data of clastic sediments. Unit 2 represents largest values in these three data. Because the total number, test size of O. umbonatus and grain size can be proxy records on the oxygen concentration and circulation intensity of deep water, we interpreted that Unit 2 had been deposited during the period of relatively strengthened NADW. Previous Cibicidoides spp. stable isotope results from the low latitude region of the North Atlantic also support our interpretation that is the intensified formation of NADW during the identical period. In conclusion, our results present a new evidence for the previous ideas that the causes on LOW are directly related to the changes in NADW.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.392-404
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• 2015

Objectives: This study measured and analyzed the concentrations of crystalline silica, elemental carbon and the contribution ratio of pollutants which influence environmental and respiratory disease around the Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex in Daegu, Korea. Methods: We analyzed the crystalline silica and elemental carbon in the air according to FTIR(Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) and NIOSH(National Institute of Occupation Safety and Health) method 5040, respectively. In addition, lead stable isotopes, and carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes were analyzed using MC-ICP/MS(Multi Collector-Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometer), and IRMS(Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer), respectively. Results: The concentration of crystalline silica in the direct exposure area around the Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex was found to be $0.0014{\pm}0.0005mg/Sm^3$, but not to exceed the exposure standards of the ACGIH(American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists). In the case of the autumn, the direct exposure area was found to show a level 2.5 times higher than the reference area, and on the whole, the direct exposure area was found to have a level 1.4 times higher than the reference area. The concentration of elemental carbon in the direct exposure area and in the reference area were found to be $0.0014{\pm}0.0006mg/Sm^3$, and $0.0006{\pm}0.0003mg/Sm^3$, respectively. This study confirmed the contribution ratio of coal raw materials to residentially deposited dusts in the area within 500 meters from the Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex and the surrounding area with a stable isotope ratio of 24.0%(0.7-62.7%) on average in the case of carbon and nitrogen, and 33.9%(26.6-54.1%) on average in the case of lead stable isotopes. Conclusions: This study was able to confirm correlations with coal raw materials used by the Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex and the surrounding area. The concentration of some pollutants, crystalline silica, and elemental carbon emitted to the direct-influence area around the Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex were relatively higher than in the reference area. Therefore, we need to impose continuous and substantive reduction countermeasures in the future to prevent particulate matter and coal raw materials in the study area. It is time for the local government and authorities to prepare active administrative methods such as the relocation of Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.89-101
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• 2016

To elucidate occurrence patterns of $C_4$ plants in agroecosystems, we surveyed flora inside fields and embankments in 222 sites in farming lands in summer and fall, 2013. We also observed Kranz anatomy and analyzed carbon stable isotope to classify photosynthesis types. Our study observed total 54 species of $C_4$ plants in 33 genera and 9 families of vascular plants besides cultivated crops occurring in farming fields. The most common species was Portulaca oleracea L. followed by Digitaria ciliaris and Echinochloa crusgalli (L.) P. Beauv. var. crusgalli among the $C_4$ plants. The ratios of $C_3$ and $C_4$ species number to total number of species tended to maintain constant regardless of survey times and habitat types. The proportion of $C_4$ species to the total number of species were more influenced by the number of $C_3$ species than those of other types in the surveyed sites. Sizes of cultivation areas did not affect the proportions of $C_4$ plants. Increasing number of simultaneous weeding methods, especially with cutting method, appeared to decrease the number of $C_3$ plants. On the other hand, as the number of cultivated crops increased, both $C_3$ and $C_4$ plants increased but the proportions of $C_4$ species remained. We interpret our results that proportion of $C_4$ species in agroecosystems, appear to be dependent on the number of $C_3$ species, which in turn, appear to be affected by cultivation methods.