• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.273-288
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• 2023

The Gubong Au-Ag deposit, which has been one of the largest deposits (Unsan, Daeyudong, Kwangyang) in Korea, consists of eight lens-shaped quartz veins (a mix of orogenic-type and intrusion-related types) that filled fractures along fault zones within Precambrian metasedimentary rock. Korea Mining Promotion Corporation found a quartz vein (referred to as the No. 6 vein with a grade of 27.9 g/t Au and a width of 0.9 m) at a depth of -728 ML by drilling (No. 90-12) conducted in 1989. Korea Mining Promotion Corporation conducted drilling (No. 04-1) in 2004 to investigate the redevelopment's possibility of the No. 6 vein. The author studied the occurrence and chemical composition of chlorite and white mica using wallrock, wallrock alteration and quartz vein samples collected from the No. 04-1 drilling core in 2004. The alteration of studied samples occurs chloritization, sericitization, silicification and pyritization. Chlorite and white mica from mineralized zone at a depth of -275 ML occur with quartz, K-feldspar, calcite, rutile and pyrite in wallrock alteration zone and quartz vein. Chlorite and white mica from ore vein (No. 6 vein) at a depth of -779 ML occur with quartz, calcite, apatite, zircon, rutile, ilmenite, pyrrhotite and pyrite in wallrock alteration zone and quartz vein. Chlorite from a depth of -779 ML has a higher content of Al and Mg elements and a lower content of Si and Fe elements than chlorite from a depth of -275 ML. Also, Chlorites from a depth of -275 ML and -779 ML have higher content of Si element than theoretical chlorite. Compositional variation in chlorite from a depth of -275 ML was mainly caused by phengitic or Tschermark substitution [Al^{3+,VI + Al3+,IV} <-> (Fe²⁺ or Mg²⁺)^VI + (Si⁴⁺)^IV], but compositional variation from a depth of -779 ML was mainly caused by octahedral Fe²⁺ <-> Mg²⁺ (Mn²⁺) substitution. The interlayer cation site occupancy (K+Na+Ca+Ba+Sr = 0.76~0.82 apfu, 0.72~0.91 apfu) of white mica from a depth of -275 ML and -779 ML have lower contents than theoretical dioctahedral micas, but octahedral site occupancy (Fe+Mg+Mn+Ti+Cr+V+Ni = 2.09~2.13 apfu, 2.06~2.14 apfu) have higher contents than theoretical dioctahedral micas. Compositional variation in white mica from a depth of -275 ML was caused by phengitic or Tschermark substitution [(Al³⁺)^VI + (Al³⁺)^IV <-> (Fe²⁺ or Mg²⁺)^VI + (Si⁴⁺)^IV], illitic substitution and direct (Fe³⁺)^VI <-> (Al³⁺)^VI substitution. But, compositional variation in white mica from a depth of -779 ML was caused by phengitic or Tschermark substitution [(Al³⁺)^VI + (Al³⁺)^IV <-> (Fe²⁺ or Mg²⁺)^VI + (Si⁴⁺)^IV] and direct (Fe³⁺)^VI <-> (Al³⁺)^VI substitution.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.265-278
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• 2011

Clayey ores of the Jeonnam province mainly consist of pyrophyllite (monoclinic), kaolinite (1T), and minor amounts of quartz, muscovite, and feldspars. Mineralogical studies revealed that two kinds of clay minerals were mainly produced from the volcanic sediments with similar ages and compositions. Kaolinite deposits sometimes contain neither diaspore nor corundum, but alunites are often found in the upper portions of the kaolin ore bodies. On the other hand, corundum and diaspore are commoner in the pyrophyllite deposits than the kaolin deposits. As ages of rock formations are becoming younger, amounts of pyrophyllite and kaolinite are rather radically decreased, and finally disappeared. But muscovite, quartz, and plagioclase feldspars are inclined to be preserved because of weak alteration. Most of clay ore bodies contain purple tuff beds on the uppermost portion, and silicified beds, tuff, and lapillistone are found in an ascending order in the most of clay quarries. Chemical analyses show that higher contents of $Al_2O_3$ might not necessarily be due to the argillization, since some tuffs contain higher $Al_2O_3$ contents originated from feldspars. $SiO_2$ contents are fairly higher in the silicified beds than in those of adjacent formations, which might have been introduced from the ore bodies. And $K_2O$ contents are obviously lower than those of $Na_2O$ and CaO in the ores and their vicinities. Ignition losses of some of clays represent much higher contents than those of the ordinary ones because of the sporadic presence of alunite, diaspore and corundum which are accompanied with lots of $SO_4$ and $Al_2O_3$ contents. REE (rare earth element) abundances of most of volcanics and clay ores show rather higher LREE (light rare earth elements) contents, and represent small to moderately negative Eu anomalies. Though most of ores ususally show milky white color, fine-grained and well bedded formations which could be easily discernible in the most of outcrop. But more distinct characteristics are desirable where rather massive ore bodies exist. Purple tuffs and silicified beds above the ore bodies would be useful as marker horizons/key beds since they have rather obvious lithology, extension and mineralogy than those of other adjacent formations.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.122-144
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• 1993

The Kimhae napseok clay deposit was studied to characterize its mineralogy and genesis. Geology of the deposit is composed of Tertiary volcanic rocks and granodiorite. Tertiary volcanic rocks consist of andesitic tuff with minor interstratified tuffaceous shale, and rhyodacitic tuff. The main ore body of 2.4 to 4 m in thickness developed parallel to the bedding of andesitic tuff bed. Its strike and dip are $N70^{\circ}E-N85^{\circ}E$ and $16^{\circ}NW-32^{\circ}NW$, respectively. Two alteration zones; the propylitic zone of albite-epidote-chlorite-quartz assemblage and advanced argillic zone of pyrophyllite-dickite-alunite-diaspore assemblage are developed. Correlation of $SiO_2$ to $Al_2O_3$ shows no relation in propylitic zone, while a negative linear relation in advanced argillic zone. Chemical variation shows that $SiO_2$, $Al_2O_3$, MgO, CaO, $Na_2O$ and $K_2O$ were leached out during hydrothermal alteration. Pyrophyllite, the most abundant mineral in advanced argillic zone, occurs as low temperature 2M polytype. It is closely associated with dickite, diaspore and alunite. The Hinckley index of dickite is 0.83 showing moderate crystallinity. Na content is increasing in the M site with the increasing content of cations in the R-site. the mole percent of Na replacing K in alunite ranges from 53.2 to 71.6. It is also found that pyrophyllite grows in the dissolution site of diaspore. Plagioclase was albitized. Lowering of pH caused mainly by sulfide and sulfate decomposition resulted in preferential leaching of Si. It is inferred that aluminum released from plagioclase in the volcanic rocks as well as from the tuffaceous shale intercalated in andesitic tuff were the main sources of aluminum required for the formation of clay deposit. pH in hydrothermal fluid decreased from propylitic zone to advanced argillic zone with increasing degree of alteration. Based on experimental data reported in the literature and mineral assemblages, the formation temperature of the deposit ranges 270 to $320^{\circ}C$.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.627-635
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• 2019

Cement-asbestos slate is the main asbestos containing material. It is a product made by combining 10~20% of asbestos and cement components. Man- and weathering-induced degradation of the cement-asbestos slates makes them a source of dispersion of asbestos fibres and represents a priority cause of concern. When the asbestos enters the human body, it causes cellular damage or deformation, and is not discharged well in vitro, and has been proven to cause diseases such as lung cancer, asbestos, malignant mesothelioma and pleural thickening. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has designated asbestos as a group 1 carcinogen. Currently, most of these slats are disposed in a designated landfill, but the landfill capacity is approaching its limit, and there is a potential risk of exposure to the external environment even if it is land-filled. Therefore, this study aimed to exam the possibility of detoxification of asbestos-containing slate by using exothermic reaction and heat treatment. Cement-asbestos slate from the asbestos removal site was used for this experiment. Exothermic catalysts such as calcium chloride(CaCl₂), magnesium chloride(MgCl₂), sodium hydroxide(NaOH), sodium silicate(Na₂SiO₃), kaolin[Al₂Si₂O₅(OH)₄)], and talc[Mg₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂] were used. Six catalysts were applied to the cement-asbestos slate, respectively and then analyzed using TG-DTA. Based on the TG-DTA results, the heat treatment temperature for cement-asbestos slate transformation was determined at 750℃. XRD, SEM-EDS and TEM-EDS analyses were performed on the samples after the six catalysts applied to the slate and heat-treated at 750℃ for 2 hours. It was confirmed that chrysotile[Mg₃Si₂O₅(OH₅)] in the cement-asbestos slate was transformed into forsterite (Mg₂SiO₄) by catalysts and heat treatment. In addition, the change in the shape of minerals was observed by applying a physical force to the slate and the heat treated slate after coating catalysts. As a result, the chrysotile in the cement-asbestos slate maintained fibrous form, but the cement-asbestos slate after heat treatment of applying catalyst was broken into non-fibrous form. Therefore, this study shows the possibility to safely verify the complete transformation of asbestos minerals in this catalyst- and temperature-induced process.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.123-134
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• 2012

Hydrochemical analyses, carbon isotopic (${\delta}^{13}C_{DIC}$) analyses, and noble gas isotopic ($^3He/^4He$ and $^4He/^{20}Ne$) analyses of the Dalki carbonate waters in the Chungsong area were carried out to elucidate their hydrochemical composition and to determine the source of $CO_2$ gas and noble gases. The carbonate waters have a pH of between 5.93 and 6.33, and an electrical conductivity 1950 to $3030{\mu}S/cm$. The chemical composition of all carbonate waters was Ca(Mg)-$HCO_3$, with a high Na content. The contents of Fe, Mn, and As in some carbonate waters exceed the limit stipulated for drinking water. The concentrations of major ions are slightly higher than those reported previously. The ${\delta}^{13}C_{DIC}$ values range from -6.70‰ to -4.47‰, indicating that the carbon originated from a deep-seated source. The $^3He/^4He$ and $^4He/^{20}Ne$ ratios vary from $7.67{\times}10^{-6}$ to $8.38{\times}10^{-6}$ and from 21.32 to 725.7, respectively. On the $^3He/^4He$ versus $^4He/^{20}Ne$ diagram, the noble gas isotope ratios plot in the field of a deep-seated source, such as mantle or magma. We therefore conclude that $CO_2$ gas and noble gas in the Dalki carbonate waters originated from a deep-seated source, rather than an inorganic $CO_2$ origin as suggested in a previous study.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.95-111
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• 2012

This study investigated the relationship between the geochemical environment and the occurrence of natural radioactive materials (uranium and Rn-222) in borehole groundwater at an Icheon site. The drill core recovered from the study site consists mainly of biotite granite with basic dykes. The groundwater samples were collected at four different depths in the borehole using the double-packed system. The pH range of the groundwater was 6.5~8.6, and the chemical type was Ca-$HCO_3$. The ranges of uranium and Rn-222 concentrations in the groundwater were 8.81~1,101 ppb and 5,990~11,970 pCi/L, respectively, and concentrations varied greatly with depth and collection time. The ranges of uranium and thorium contents in drill core were 0.53~18.3 ppm and 6.66~17.5 ppm, respectively. Microscope observations and electron microprobe analyses revealed the presence of U and Th as substituted elements for major composition of monazite, ilmenite, and apatite within K-feldspar and biotite. Although the concentration of uranium and thorium in the drill core was not high, the groundwater contained a high level of natural radioactive materials. This finding indicates that physical factors, such as the degree of fracturing of an aquifer and the groundwater flow rate, have a greater influence on the dissolution of radioactive materials than does the geochemical condition of the groundwater and rock. The origin of Rn-222 can be determined indirectly, using an interrelationship diagram of noble gas isotopes ($^3He/^4He$ and $^4He/^{20}Ne$).

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.235-250
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• 2009

Environmental elements such as B, Br, and Sr in groundwater from Bukahn-myeon, Yeongcheon, Gyeongbuk Province, were investigated in order to know their origin with emphasis on hydrochemistry. pH ranges from 7.37 to 8.39. B content is 0.41${\sim}$4.62 mg/L with an average 1.74 mg/L and Br content is 0${\sim}$3.24 mg/L with an average 2.22 mg/L, and Sr content is 0.93${\sim}$8.64 mg/L with an average 2.76 mg/L. The water types plotted by the Piper diagram are different but mostly $Ca-HCO_3$. Some constituents contributing to EC are Na, $SO_4$, Cl with high determinative coefficients($R^2$) of 0.85, 0.70, 0.90, respectively. The coefficients($R^2$) of Cl to Na, K, $SO_4$ are 0.54, 0.68, 0.53, respectively. It should be noted that there are high cocfficients($R^2$) of B-Sr and $Sr-SO_4$ with 0.65, 0.64, respectively. The Cl/Br ratios are 5.21${\sim}$30.70 due to significant depletion of Cl. The $SO_4/Cl$ ratios are 1.32${\sim}$27.24 with an average of 5.92, ascribed to abundant introduction of $SO_4$ or significant depletion of Cl. Chemical speciation calculated shows that B exists mostly as $H_3BO_3$ with less $H_2BO^-_3$ and Br exists as only $Br^-$. Sr exists mostly as $Sr^2$ with less $SO_4$. Saturation index represents that goundwater is supersaturated with respect to barite, kaolinite, illite, K-mica, and smectite while it is slightly undersaturated with respect to silica, gypsum, anhydrite, talc, chrysotile, feldspar, kaolinite, illite, K-mica, and smectite. The saturation index of celestine is -2.23${\sim}$-0.13 indicating more Sr can be incorporated into groundwater. Groundwater is still much undersaturated to halite. It is likely that the origin of S and Sr was related to the Yucheon volcanic rocks. Br might be originated from the local geological features with introduction of anthropogenic matters.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.477-491
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• 2013

Natural radionuclides in groundwater in the Danyang area were investigated to characterize the behaviors of uranium and radon with respect to lithology and physico-chemical components, which can aid our understanding of their occurrence, properties, and origins. To this end, a total of 100 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed, and radionuclide levels were used to construct detailed concentration maps. The water type of the groundwater, assessed using a Piper diagram, is mainly Ca-Na-$HCO_3$. The concentrations of uranium range from 0.02 to $251.0{\mu}g/L$ (average, $3.85{\mu}g/L$) and only 1% exceed USEPA's MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level). Uranium is enriched in groundwaters of Cretaceous granites and Precambrian metamorphic rocks, whereas it is depleted in groundwaters of sedimentary rocks. The concentrations of radon range from 13 to 28,470 pCi/L (average, 2397 pCi/L). Only 15% of the samples exceed AMCL (Alternative Maximum Contaminant Level) of 4000 pCi/L. The radon concentration is highest in groundwater of Cretaceous granites and lowest in groundwater of sedimentary rocks. In conclusion, the distribution and occurrence of radionuclides are intimately related to the basic geological characteristics of the rocks in which the radiogenic minerals are primarily contained. The behavior of uranium is only weakly related to that of radon (correlation coefficient = 0.15). There are also weak correlations between radionuclides and the main chemical components, pH, EC, Eh, and well depth. Of note, the correlation coefficient between radon and $SiO_2$ is 0.68, and that between radon and $HCO_3$ is -0.48. Factor analysis shows that radionuclides behave somewhat independently of each other because there are no significant factors that control the behavior of chemical components as well as radionuclides. The detailed concentration maps during this study will be used to establish useful database of radionuclide distribution and geological properties throughout Korea.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.52-61
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• 1984

Pot and laboratory tests were undertaken to investigate the influence of silicate fertilization on butachlor phytotoxicity to rice. Growth of rice seedlings at 150 ppm of $SiO_2$ was stimulated, while adverse effect was observed over 300 ppm of $SiO_2$ and growth reduction was enhanced with combination of butachlor and $SiO_2$ Rice growth in pot trial at 150kg/10a of silicate fertilization was not influenced by recommended amounts of butachlor and nitrofen, however, the growth of Seokwang byeo at 300kg/10a of silicate was markedly retarded by butachlor in the initial stage of growth. Growth reduction of Seokwang byeo caused by combined application of silicate and butachlor was recovered 50 days after herbicide application. Growth reduction from butachlor was not influenced by pH level and also degradation behaviors of butachlor in submerged soil was not altered by silicate fertilization. Adsorbed amount of butachlor on rice root was increased with addition of $SiO_2$ and its amount in Seokwang byeo was higher than that of Jinju byeo. Butachlor absorption by Seokwang byeo was accelerated by 150 ppm of $SiO_2$ applied simultaneously, but those effect was not encountered in Jinju byeo. Butachlor absorption of rice seedlings was also increased by 150 ppm of $K_2O$, while CaO hindered the absorption and $Na_2O$ had no effect on the absorption. Residual level of butachlor in Seokwang byeo treated with combined solution of butachlor and $SiO_2$ was continued higher than that with butachlor alone during 10 days after transplantation to culture solution.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.33-47
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• 2003

Various applied-mineralogical characterization including measurements of surface area, size distribution, swelling index, and viscosity were done for some domestic bentonites in order to decipher the rheological properties and their controlling factors. The bentonites, which are Ca-type and relatively low-grade (rnontmorillonite contents: 30 ∼ 75 wt%), occur mostly as subhedral lamellas with the size range of 2 ∼ 4 $\mu\textrm{m}$. The size distribution of mineral fractions in bentonite suspension is dominant in the range of 10 ∼ 100 $\mu\textrm{m}$, and though rather complicated, exhibits roughly bimodal patterns. The feature is more conspicuous in the case of zeolitic bentonite. The bentonites have surface areas ranging 269 ∼ 735 $\m^2$/g, which are measured by EGME adsorption method. The EGME surface areas are nearly proportional to the rnontmorillonite contents, moisture contents, or total CEC. In the surface area measurements, zeolitic bentonites have slightly higher values than those zeolite- free types. The measured swelling index and viscosity of domestic bentonites are comparatively low in values. The swelling values of bentonites were measured to be 250∼500% at maximum by progressively mixing amounts of 2 ∼ 5 wt% Na$_2$CO$_3$, which varies depending on the contents of rnontmorillonite and other impurities, especially zeolite. Much amount of sodium carbonate is required for optimum swelling property of zeolitic bentonited which has usually strong Na- exchanged capacity. The bentonites, which are comparatively feldspar-rich and low in size and crystallinity, tend to be higher in viscosity values. Tn addition, the viscosity is largely higher in case of the bentonites with higher pH in suspension. However, the rheological properties of bentonites such as swelling index and viscosity do not show any obvious relationships with rnontmorillonite contents and mean particle size in suspension. In contrast, roughly speaking, the swelling index of bentonites is reversely proportional to the values of surface area which can be regarded as a collective physico-chemical parameter encompassing all the effects caused by mineral composition, surface charge, particle size, morphological farm, and etc. in bentonites. Thus, the rheological properties in bentonite suspension appear to be rather complicated characteristics which mainly depend on the flocculation of clay particles and the mode of particle association, i.e. quasicrystals, controlled by surface charge, morphology, size, and texture of rnon-tmorillonite, and which partly affected by the finer impurities such as zeolite.