• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.137-148
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• 2010

The Myoungbong mine located in Boseong-gun, Jellanamdo consists of Au-Ag bearing quartz veins which filled the fissures of Bulguksa granitic rocks of Cretaceous. The tailings obtained from the Myungbong mine were used to investigate the effects of various processes, such as oxidation of primary sulfides and formation(alteration) of secondary and/or tertiary minerals, on arsenic immobilization in tailings. This study was conducted via both mineralogical and chemical methods. Mineralogical methods used included gravity and magnetic separation, ultrasonic cleaning, and instrumental analyses(X-ray diffractometry, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and electron probe microanalyzer) and aqua regia extraction technique for soils was applied to determine the elemental concentrations in the tailings. Iron (oxy)hydroxides formed as a result of oxidation of tailings were identified as three specific forms. The first form filled in rims and fissures of primary pyrites. The second one precipitated and coated the surfaces of gangue minerals and the final form was altered into yukonites. Initially, large amounts of acid-generating minerals, such as pyrite and arsenopyrite, might make the rapid progress of oxidation reactions, and lots of secondary minerals including iron (oxy)hydroxides and scorodite were formed. The rate of pH decrease in tailings diminished, in addition, as the exposure time of tailings to oxidation environments was prolonged and the acid-generating minerals were depleted. Rather, it is speculated that the pH of tailings increased, as the contribution of pH neutralization reactions by calcite contained in surrounding parental rocks became larger. The stability of secondary minerals, such as scorodite, were deteriorated due to the increase in pH, and finally arsenic might be leached out. Subsequently, calcimn and arsenic ions dissociated from calcites and scorodites were locally concentrated, and yukonite could be grown tertiarily. It is confirmed that this tertiary yukonite which is one of arsenate minerals and contains arsenic in high level plays a crucial role in immobilizing arsenic in tailings. In addition to immobilization of arsenic in yukonites, the results indicate that a huge amount of iron (oxy)hydroxides formed by weathering of pyrite which is one of typical primary minerals in tailings can strongly control arsenic behavior as well. Consequently, this study elucidates that through a sequence of various processes, arsenic which was leached out as a result of weathering of primary minerals, such as arsenopyrite, and/or redissolved from secondary minerals, such as scorodite, might be immobilized by various sorption reactions including adsorption, coprecipiation, and absorption.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.657-667
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• 2003

Deep-drilled core sampling and high-resolution seismic survey were carried out to identify a Holocene-late Pleistocene boundary in Gyeonggi Bay, western coast of Korea. Analysis of core sections revealed the existence of an oxidized and semi-consolidated sediment layer, Iying immediately below a Holocene horizon (Unit I) and being developed at the top of a late Pleistocene deposit (Unit II). The oxidized sedimentary layer (uppermost part of Unit II) is characterized by semi-consolidated, yellowish sediments showing signs of desiccation and alteration such as high N value, low water content, periglacial cryogenic structure, depletion of smectite, and high geochemical weathering index (Ba/Sr ratio). This feature, together with radiocarbon ages, suggests that the layer has formed as a result of prolonged subaerial exposure of Unit II sediments during the late Wisconsin sea-level lowstand, producing a regional unconformity. Such unconformitic-bounding surface corresponds to a prominent near-surface reflector (R), which is observed in seismic profiles obtained across the drilled-core sections in the study area. Consequently, the buried oxidized-sedimentary layer associated with the seismic reflector possibly plays a key horizon for the understanding of late Quaternary environmental changes as well as evidence of the emergence of the Yellow Sea shelf during the late Wisconsin sea-level lowstand.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.430-439
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• 2019

This study investigates the characteristics of ridge-end tiles excavated from temple sites in Sabi Baekje. Analyses were carried out to evaluate the chemical and mineralogical compositions of the excavated samples. All the samples except one from the Gunsu-ri temple exhibit a similar element distribution pattern in rare earth element contents. However, major and trace element contents differ because the mixing method used in each sample depends on the type of ridge-end tile. The mineral components of the tiles were grouped into three types, irrespective of the excavated areas. Group 2 and 3 were probably developed in high-temperature fires in comparison with Group 1; this is verified by the Fe₂O₃ content of more than 5 wt% in these samples. In conclusion, the raw materials utilized in each ridge-end tile are prone to have changed according to the time of use of the tile, regardless of the excavated site.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.74-93
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• 2019

The Bird Track Site in the Haman Formation in Yongsanri (Natural Monument No. 222) was reported on the named Koreanaornis hamanensis and Jindongornipes kimi sauropod footprint Brontopodus and ichnospecies Ochlichnus formed by Nematoda. This site has outstanding academic value because it is where the second-highest number of bird tracks have been reported in the world. However, only 25% of the site remains after being designated a natural monument in 1969. This is due to artificial damage caused by worldwide fame and quarrying for flat stone used in Korean floor heating systems. The Haman Formation, including this fossil site, has lithofacies showing reddish-grey siltstone and black shale, alternately. The boundary of the two rocks is progressive, and sedimentary structures like ripple marks and sun cracks can clearly be found. This site was divided into seven formations according to sedimentary sequences and structures. The results of a nondestructive deterioration evaluation showed that chemical and biological damage rates were very low for all formations. Also, physical damage displayed low rates with 0.49% on exfoliation, 0.04% on blistering, 0.28% on break-out; however, the joint crack index was high, 6.20. Additionally, efflorescence was observed on outcrops at the backside and the northwestern side. Physical properties measured by an indirect ultrasonic analysis were found to be moderately weathered (MW). Above all, the southeastern side was much fresher, though some areas around the column of protection facility appeared more weathered. Furthermore, five kinds of discontinuity surface can be found at this site, with the bedding plane showing the higher share. There is the possibility of toppling failure occurring at this site but stable on plane and wedge failure by means of stereographic projection. We concluded that the overall level of deterioration and stability were relatively fine. However, continuous monitoring and conservation treatment and management should be performed as situations such as the physicochemical weathering of the fossil layer, and the efflorescence of the mortar adjoining the protection facility's column appear to be challenging to control.

• 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.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.90 no.5
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• pp.608-618
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• 2001

To understand the weathering processes of the soil by submicroscopic method is very important to realize the properties of the soils. In this study soil formation processes show every steps to the changes in chemical and mechanical properties and the submicroscopic characteristics of soil weathering on the profiles of forest soils derived from granite in southern part of Korea. Fecal pellets(SEM) are given a full detail of the positive activities of the forest soil animals; mainly invertebrates in the O horizon and the E horizon. External shapes of fecal pellets have been divided into five groups : spherical, ellipsoidal, cylindrical, platy and threadlike. But doughnutlike form of fecal pellets is observed in this study. The soluble and suspended materials in the soils move downwards by percolation from the A horizon to the B or the BC horizons, and result in the illuviation cutans(SEM) on the ped surface of the lower horizon and deposited stack of kaolinite. Illuviated cutans are deposited on the ped surface even in the depth of 312cm in the BC horizon as well as the Bt horizon and comprise of fine silt, coarse clay and fine clay. A lot of halloysites are observed on the cutan surface. Halloysite formation from feldspars has been well known but a lot of hallyosite formation are observed in this study. The formation were predicted by Jackson(1962), inferred by Wada and Kakuto(1983a, b) and proved evidently by Cho and Mermut(1992a, b). This also suggests that halloysites in the soils derived from granite are formed a lot from ferruginous chlorites. The release of Fe from the chlorite structure are significant pedogenic processes and newly formed Fe oxides imparted a red color to the soils. The iron oxides particles, which are ejected and recrystalized, aggregate thickly on the edge of the ferruginous chlorites, and this indicates the release of structural Fe from weathered chlorites. Hematites and goethites are frequent in the fine clay in this soils.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.183-192
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• 2008

Stone cultural heritages in Korea are mostly situated out door without any notable protection thus there are severe damage from chemical and biological weathering. This in turn, causes deformation and structural damage. To counter act this problem and to increase durability, various kinds of conservation materials are used in the conservation and restoration treatment. However, there are not many practical and technological experiment done on this subject. This paper attempts quantitative evaluation of effectiveness of ethylsilicate based resin for Namsan granite in Gyeongju. When two different materials with different ethylsilicate concentration were compared, the result indicated decrease of absorption and porosity with increase of ultrasonic velocities, uniaxial compressive strength, elastic constant, tensile strength and Poisson's ratio. In addition, comparison of physical characteristic of the conservation material resulted favorably toward ones with higher concentration of ethylsilicate. This is due to the ethylsilicates characteristic to fill the internal pores of stone. There is discolouration of stone surface after treatment with conservation material. This was more prominent with the product of higher ethylsilicate concentration.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.17 s.17
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• pp.83-94
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• 2005

Host rock or the standing sculptured Buddha in the Yongamsa temple is macular porphyritic biotite granite, which has gone through mechanical and chemical weathering. The rock around the Buddha statue is busily scattered with steep inclinations that are almost vertically discontinuous planes with the strikes of $N8^{\circ}E$. Especially the development of the joints that cross the major joints causes the structural instability of the rock. The rock of the Buddha statue is separated into several rock blocks because of many different discontinuity. Thus it is estimated that the bed rock has not only plane and toppling failure but also wedge failure in all the sides. Since the differential pressure is imposed on the body of the Buddha in the host rock, it is urgent to give a reinforce treatment of geotechnical engineering for the safe of its structural stability. Very contact area of joints have turned into soil, which promotes the growth of weeds and plant roots, then aggravates the mechanical weathering of the rock. Thus conservational treatments should also be considered to get rid of secondary contaminants and vegetation along the discontinuities and to prevent further damages.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.543-553
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• 2010

This study was focused on the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of field soil of the Baekje Kingdom from K wongbawigol site in Jeongdongri, Buyeo and whether the bricks from Songsanri Tombs and Muryung's Royal Tomb were made of soil from this site. Soil samples show the similar size fraction as a silt loam and acidic soil, whereas some samples have the enrichment of organic matter, P and S. Also, they have similar geochemical behavior of elements and similar mineral phases consisting of quartz, plagioclase, orthoclase, vermiculite, mica and kaolinite. The enrichment of iron oxide is found in some soil layer, including the iron oxide mottling and precipitation along plant roots and they are attributed to repeat oxidation and reduction environments due to flooding and drainage of field soil. It's anthropogenic alteration by human activity. Especially, it is assumed that the concentration of the iron oxides found in bricks from Muryung's Royal Tomb and Songsanri Tombs is the additional evidence that soil in this study is probably the raw materials of those bricks.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.79-92
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• 1992

The Sarisan clay deposits of hydrothermal origin are found in the intensely weathered wto-mica granite in Yeoju area. The major clay minerals of the Sarisan mine are illite and montmorillonite with minor disordered kaolinite, vermiculite, and some interstratified mineral. Clay minerals were studied using various methods including X-ray diffraction, infrared absorption spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and thermal and chemical analyses. Illites occur as discrete illite or highly illitic interstratified mineral. They are of 1M and $2M_1$ polytypes and characterized by a low lattice charge (1.768-0.926 per unit formula), low $K^+$ content (0.741-0.902 per unit formula), and high Si/Al ratio (1.154-1.293) as compared with muscovite. Montmorillonites are highly negative charged and occasionally random-interstratified as I/S with 80-98% smectite. Hydrothermal alteration is more important than later weathering alteration for the formation of illite and montmorillonite clay minerals. The hydrothermal alteration took place through two stages; the formation of illite in the early stage and the formation of montmorillonite in the late stage. Disordered kaolinite and vermiculite are the weathering products of plagioclase and biotite, respectively.