• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.371-384
• /
• 2017

Physical and mechanical properties of rocks are of interest in many fields, including materials science, petrophysics, geophysics and geotechnical engineering. Uniaxial compressive strength UCS is one of the key mechanical properties, while density and porosity are important physical parameters for the characterization of rocks. The economic interest of carbonate rocks is very important in chemical or biological procedures and in the field of construction. Carbonate rocks exploitation depends on their quality and their physical, chemical and geotechnical characteristics. A fast, economic and reliable technique would be an evolutionary advance in the exploration of carbonate rocks. This paper discusses the ability of ultrasonic wave velocity to evaluate some mechanical and physical parameters within carbonate rocks (collected from different regions within Tunisia). The ultrasonic technique was used to establish empirical correlations allowing the estimation of UCS values, the density and the porosity of carbonate rocks. The results illustrated the behavior of ultrasonic pulse velocity as a function of the applied stress. The main output of the work is the confirmation that ultrasonic velocity can be effectively used as a simple and economical non-destructive method for a preliminary prediction of mechanical behavior and physical properties of rocks.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.1-12
• /
• 2001

A small of carbonate rocks and spatially-associated ultramafic rocks uniquely occur in the ulsan iron-serpentine mine of the sourtheastern Kyungsang basin. The study of field geology, core drilling data and stable isotope analysis suggest that the carbonate rocks are carbonatite formed from the melt reflecting intrusive natures. Based on this study, the geology of the Ulsan iron-serpentinite mining area consists of Cretaceous sedimentary, volcanic, granitic ultramafic and carbonate rocks in ascending order. The carbonate and ultramafic rocks show concentric and ellipsoidal shapes at the outcrop and a funnel shape in the cross sectional view. Carbon and oxygen stable isotope analysis show a bimodal pattern rather than a typical mantle pattern, which may indicate that the melt was a secondary melt generated within the crus not in the mantle directly. The uprising of ultramafic melts would have melted lime-contained rocks forming a secondary carbonate melt in the upper crus. Then, the intrusion of the ultramafic melts would have melted lime-contained rocks forming a secondary carbonate melt in the upper crust. Then, the intrusion of the ultramafic melt was followed by the intrusion of the carbonate melt along deep-seated fractures. Well-developed major fractures in this area, fluid inclusion characteristics of the carbonate rocks, the spatial relation between the ultramafic and carbonate rocks and stable isotope data support interpreting the Ulsan carbonate rocks as carbonatite.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.25-33
• /
• 1996

Stable isotopic ratios of the carbonate rocks and chemical compositions of the matrix of pebble bearing phyllitic rocks known as the Hwanggangri Formation, which are in hot debate on their origin such as tillite, debris flow and turbidite, were determined to interpret their depositional environment. Argillaceous matrix of the pebble bearing phyllitic rocks has a high content of CaO (av. 19.5%) and MgO (av. 8.3%), corresponding to calcareous sandy shale. No difference of chemical compositions including trace elements and REE is in the matrices between the Hwanggangri and the Kunjasan Formations. Carbonate rocks from the Okchon zone and outside of the zone range $-2.5{\sim}+6.1$‰ in ${\delta}^{13}C$ and $+5.8{\sim}+25.9$‰ in ${\delta}^{18}O$, indicating normal marine limestone. However, unusally $^{13}C$ enriched carbonate rocks might be deposited in the highly evaporated sedimentary basin. A wide variation of ${\delta}^{18}O$ values is responsible for metamorphism with a $^{18}O$ depleted meteoric water. Isotopic equilibrium temperatures by graphite-calcite geothermometer show a higher metamorphic temperature ($547{\sim}589^{\circ}C$) in the Okchon zone than those ($265{\sim}292^{\circ}C$) in the Samtaesan Formation of the Chosun group. Rhythmic alternation of relatively thin shale with thin limestone in the Kounri Formation is not cherty layer but thin limesilicate bed by metasomatic replacement. Judging from the isotopic and chemical compositions of the carbonate rocks and calcareous matrix of the pebble bearing phyllitic rocks, the Hwangganari Formation was deposited in the shallow marine environment favorable to debris flow.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.919-925
• /
• 2018

Stress-strain responses of weak-to-strong carbonate rocks used for tunnel construction were studied. The analysis of applicability of exponential stress-strain models based on Haldane's distribution function is presented. It is revealed that these exponential equations presented in transformed forms allow us to predict stress-strain relationships over the whole pre-failure strain range without mechanical testing of rock samples under compression using a press machine and to avoid measurements of axial failure strains for which relatively large values of compressive stress are required. In this study, only one point measurement (small strain at small stress) using indentation test and uniaxial compressive strength determined by a standard Schmidt hammer are considered as input parameters to predict stress-strain response from zero strain/zero stress up to failure. Observations show good predictive capabilities of transformed stress-stress models for weak-to-strong (${\sigma}_c$ <100 MPa) heterogeneous carbonate rocks exhibiting small (< 0.5 %), intermediate (< 1 %) and large (> 1 %) axial strains.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.49 no.5
• /
• pp.335-347
• /
• 2016

The mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of diverse carbonate rocks can be investigated by using VNIRSWIR(visible near infrared-short wavelength infrared) spectroscopic analysis as a rapid, nondestructive, and inexpensive tool. Comparing whole rock analysis to VNIR-SWIR spectroscopic analysis, the analytical method was investigated to estimate CaO contents, mud impurity, and whiteness of carbonate rocks involved in high-grade limestones in the field. We classify typical carbonate rocks in the upper Pungchon Formation in high-grade limestone mine area such as the Gangweon, Chungmu and Baegun mine in the Jeongseon area. The results show that powdered specimen has much higher reflectance than cutted specimen between the same sample. Whiteness is highly correlated with reflectance(0.99) for powdered specimen. The absorption of mineral mixtures shifts in position as a result of the mass ratio of calcite and dolomite in the Chungmu mine by changing to 75:25, 50:50, and 25:75. The absorption peak position in carbonate mixtures is highly correlated with CaO contents(0.98~0.99). Based on color system, the carbonate rocks are grouped into (milky) white, light grey, light brown, grey, and dark grey. The absorption peak position shifts from 2340 nm to 2320 nm as CaO contents decrease from 55.86 wt.% to 29.71 wt.%. We confirmed that absorption peak position shifts depending on the amount of Ca, which is bonded to $CO{_3}^{-2}$, Mg, and Fe contents replacing Ca. This result suggests that CaO contents in carbonate rocks can be considered to quantitative analysis in the field by spectroscopic analysis.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.51 no.4
• /
• pp.309-322
• /
• 2018

Naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) occurs in rocks and soils as a result of natural weathering and human activities. It is proved that inhalation of asbestos fibers can lead to increase risk of developing several diseases such as lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma. The parent rocks of asbestos have been mainly associated with (ultra)mafic and carbonate rock. The previous studies on NOA were mainly limited to (ultra)mafic rock-hosted asbestos, but studies on carbonate rock-hosted asbestos are relatively rare in S. Korea. Therefore, this study was aimed to examine mineralogical characteristics of carbonate rock-hosted NOA at three sites including Muju and Jangsu, Jeonbuk province and Asan, Chungnam province. Types of rocks at the three sites mainly consisted of Precambrian metasedimentary rocks, carbonate rock, and Cretaceous and Jurassic granites. Asbestos-containing carbonate rock samples were obtained for mineralogical characterization. XRD, PLM, EPMA, SEM and EDS analyses were used to characterize mineralogical characteristics of the carbonate rock-hosted NOA. From the carbonate rock, fibrous minerals were occurred acicular and columnar forms in the three sites. Fibrous minerals were composed of mainly tremolite and associated minerals included possibly asbestos containing materials (ACM) such as talc, vermiculite, and sepiolite. The length and aspect ratios of tremolite were similar to the standard asbestiform (length >$5{\mu}m$, length:width = 3:1). These results indicate that both non-asbestiform and asbestiform tremolite with acicular forms occurred in carbonate rocks at three sites. Geological and geochemical characteristics and mineral assemblages indicate tremolite and associated minerals might be formed by hydrothermal alternation and/or hydrothermal veins of carbonate rocks due to intrusion of acidic igneous rocks.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.47 no.5
• /
• pp.467-477
• /
• 2014

Naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) occurs in rocks and soils as a result of natural weathering and human activities. The asbestos have been associated with ultramafic and mafic rocks, and carbonate rock. The previous studies on NOA were mainly limited to ultramafic and mafic rock-hosted asbestos in Korea. But, studies on carbonatehosted asbestos are relatively rare. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to investigate mineralogical characteristics of carbonate-hosted and metapelite-hosted NOA and to examine genesis of NOA occurred in the both rocks. The study area was Daerori, Seosan, Chungnam Province, Korea. The major rock formation consisted of limestone and schist which have been known to contain asbestos. Sampling was performed at outcrop which contained carbonate rock showing acicular asbestos crystals as well as pegmatitic intrusion that contacted with carbonate rock. PLM, XRD, EPMA, and EDS analyses were used to characterize mineral assemblages, mineralogical characteristics, and crystal habits of amphiboles and other minerals. BSEM images were also used to examine the genesis of asbestos minerals. The amphibole group was observed in all of the carbonate rocks, and actinolite and tremolite were identified in all rocks. These mineral habits were mainly micro-acicular crystals or secondary asbestiform minerals on the surface of non-asbestiform minerals appearing split end of columnar crystals produced by weathering. BSEM images showed residual textures of samples. The residual textures of carbonate rocks showed dolomite-tremolite-diopside mineral assemblages that formed during prograde metasomatism stage. Some carbonate rock also showed diopside-tremolite-talc mineral assemblages which were formed during retrograde metasomatism stage, as the residual textures. In result the presence of asbestos actinolite-tremolite in the carbonate rocks were confirmed in the areas where actinolite-tremolite asbestos was influenced by low temperature hydrothermal solution during metasomatism stage. These asbestos minerals showed the acicular asbestiform minerals, but even non-asbestiform minerals, a bundle or columnar shape, could transform to asbestiform minerals as potential NOA by weathering because the end of columnar shape of non-asbestiform minerals appeared as multiple acicular shaped fibers.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.1-13
• /
• 1992

The study is to analize the spectral characteristics of metamorphic rocks by their spectral reflectance curves obtained from CARY 17-D Spectrophotometer. Coarse grained rocks generally show strong absorption at 1.4 and 1.9 $\mu\textrm{m}$ due to preserved water inclusion in quartz of feldspar. The basic rocks show a broad absorption due to Fe$^{++}$ ion rich in mafic minerals. Strong absorption near 2.0$^+\mu\textrm{m}$ suggests existence of carbonate or clay minerals.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.3 no.4
• /
• pp.214-227
• /
• 1998

This study was carried out to investigate the composition and diagenesis of the carbonate rocks from the seamounts in the Federated States of Micronesia, Central Pacific. Most of the samples were dredged from the water depth of about 1000-3000 m mainly in Chuuk Island, Hunter Bank, Caroline Ridge and Yap Trench. The carbonate rocks are either pelagic sediment mainly of planktonic foraminifera or shallow-marine sediment of corals, calcareous algae, mollusks and echinoderms. The rocks are altered texturally and chemically, except for those from the Hunter Bank and Yap A. The presence of shallow-marine cements suggests that the carbonate sediment has been subsided or reworked to the present water depth after deposition in shallow-marine environments. The texture of the carbonate sediment is reminiscent of meteoric diagenesis; however, the stable carbon isotopic composition of the altered rock samples shows affinity with that of sea water and the oxygen isotopic values are slightly enriched or same as compared to those of unaltered samples. These stable isotopic data suggest that the carbonate sediment of the study area has been diagenetically altered in the present deep-marine environment.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.161-181
• /
• 1990

The lead-zinc-silver-iron deposits from the Janggun mine are of hydrothermal-metasomatic origin, characterized by the marked hydrothermal alteration of the wallrocks, such as hydrothermal manganese enrichment of carbonate rocks, silicification, chloritization, sericitization, montmorillonitization and argillic alteration. The ore deposits have been emplaced within the Janggun Limestone of Cambro-Ordovician age at the immediate contacts with apophyses injected from the Chunyang Granite plutons of Late Jurrasic age. They have been structurally controlled by fractures in the carbonate rocks and the irregular intrusive contacts of granitic rocks, and are closely associated with hypogene manganese carbonate deposits. In the mine nine seperate orebodies are being mined. On the basis of the petrological study, hydrothermal alteration zone of this mine may be divided into the following four zones from wallrock to orebody. (I) Primary calcite and dolomite zone${\rightarrow}$(II) dolomitic limestone zone${\rightarrow}$(III) dolomitic zone${\rightarrow}$(IV) rhodochrosite zone${\rightarrow}$ orebody. There was not recongnized Mn and Fe elements in the primary calcite and dolomite zone. But, in the dolomitic limestone and dolomite zone, calcite and dolomite were subjected to weak hydrothermal manganese enrichment and the grade of the manganese enrichment increase oreward. By means of electron probe microanalysis, it was found that manganoan dolomite occured between primary dolomite grains, cross the cleavage of the primary dolomite and around the dolomite grains. Above these result supports that the Janggun manganese carbonate deposits are of hydrothermal metasomatic origin.