• Journal of the Korean Society of Groundwater Environment
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.194-205
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• 1999

Hydrogeochemical variation and environmental isotope at the some abandoned metal mine (Sanggok, Keumsil, Jangpung and Samdeok) creeks of the Hwanggangri mining district were carried out based upon the physicochemical properties for surface water collected of February in 1998. Hydrogeochemical composition of the all water samples are characterized by the relatively significant enrichment of Ca$^{2}$, alkaline ions, N $O_3$$^{－}$ and Cl$^{－}$ in normal surface water, whereas the surface waters near the mining area are relatively enriched in Ca$^{2+$, Mg$^{2＋}$, heavy metals. HC $O_3$$^{－}$ and S $O_4$$^{2－}$. Surface waters of the mining creek have low pH, high EC and extremely high concentrations of TDS compared with surface water of the non-mining creeks. The range of $\delta$D and $\delta$$^{18}$O values (SMOW) in the waters are shown in －65.0 to－71.2$\textperthousand$ and －9.1 to－10.2$\textperthousand$. The d($\delta$D－$\delta$$^{18}$O) value with those of water samples ranged from 7.3 to 10.9. These $\delta$D and $\delta$$^{18/}$ of the acid mine water are more heavy values than those of surface water. The values have revealed the positive correlation between isotopic compositions and major elements, because those $\delta$D and $\delta$$^{18}$O values increase with increasing TDS. HC $O_3$$^{－}$ , S $O_4$$^{2－}$ and Ca$^{2＋}$ concentration. Using WATEQ4F, saturation index of albite calcite, dolomite and mostly clay minerals in water of the mining area show undersaturated and progressively evolved toward the equilibrium condition due to fresh water mixing, however, surface waters of the non-mining area are nearly saturated and/or supersaturated. Geochemical modeling showed that mostly toxic heavy metals within water in the mining creek may exist largely in the from of metal-sulfate (MS $O_4$$^{2－}$), free metal (M$^{2＋}$/), C $O_3$$^{－}$ and/or OH$^{－}$ complex ions. Based on the geology, water chemistry and environmental istopic data the water compositions from the Sanggok and Keumsil mine creek (consist mainly of Cambro-Ordovician carbonate rocks of the Cho-seon Supergroup) show higher PH, Ca$^{2＋}$, Mg$^{2＋}$ , HC $O_3$$^{－}$ and more heavy $\delta$D and $\delta$$^{18}$O values than those from the Jangpung and Samdeok mine creek (consist of age -unknown metasedimentary rocks of the Ogcheon Supergroup and/or Jurassic grani-toids), but each of these waters represents a similar hydrogeochemical evolution path by the mine water mixing.

• 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.