• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.323-336
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• 2019

The Mesozoic activity on the Korean Peninsula is mainly represented by the Triassic post-collisional, Jurassic orogenic, and Cretaceous post-orogenic igneous activities. The diversity of mineralization by each geological period came from various geothermal systems derived from the geochemical characteristics of magma with different emplacement depth. The Cretaceous metallic mineralization has been carried out over a wide range of time periods from ca. 115 to 45 Ma (main stage; ca. 100 to 60 Ma) related to post-orogenic igneous activity, and spatial distribution patterns of most metal deposits are concentrated along small granitic stocks. The late Cretaceous metal deposits in the Gyeonggi and Yeongnam massifs are generally distributed along the boundary among the Gongju-Eumseong fault system and the Yeongdong-Gwangju fault system and the Gyeongsang Basin, most of them are in the form of a distal epithermal~mesothermal Au-Ag vein or a transitional mesothermal Zn-Pb-Cu vein. On the other hand, diverse metal commodities in the Taebaeg Basin, the Okcheon metamorphic belt and the Gyeongsang Basin are produced from various deposit types such as skarn, carbonate-replacement, vein, porphyry, breccia pipe, and Carlin type. In the late Cretaceous metallic mineralization, various mineral deposits and commodities were induced not only by the pathway of the hydrothermal solution, but also by the diversity of precipitation environment in the proximity difference of the granitic rocks. The diversity of these types of Cretaceous deposits is fundamentally dependent on the geochemical characteristics such as degree of differentiation and oxidation state of related igneous rocks, and ore-forming fluids generally exhibit the evolutionary characteristics of intermediate- to low-sulfur hydrothermal fluids.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.24-35
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• 2019

It is known that ${\delta}^{13}C_{DIC}$ (carbon-13 isotope of dissolved inorganic carbonate (DIC) ions) of water increases when dissolved $CO_2$ degases. However, ${\delta}^{13}C_{DIC}$ could decrease when the pH of water is lower than 5.5 at the early stage of degassing. Laboratory experiments were performed to observe the changes of ${\delta}^{13}C_{DIC}$ as $CO_2$ degassed from three different artificial $CO_2$-rich waters (ACWs) in which the initial pH was 4.9, 5.4, and 6.4, respectively. The pH, alkalinity and ${\delta}^{13}C_{DIC}$ were measured until 240 hours after degassing began and those data were compared with kinetic isotope fractionation calculations. Furthermore, same experiment was conducted with the natural $CO_2$-rich water (pH 4.9) from Daepyeong, Sejong City. As a result of experiments, we could observe the decrease of DIC and increase of pH as the degassing progressed. ACW with an initial pH of 6.4, ${\delta}^{13}C_{DIC}$ kept increasing but, in cases where the initial pH was lower than 5.5, ${\delta}^{13}C_{DIC}$ decreased until 6 hours. After 6 hours ${\delta}^{13}C_{DIC}$ increased within all cases because the $CO_2$ degassing caused pH increase and subsequently the ratio of $HCO_3{^-}$ in solution. In the early stage of $CO_2$ degassing, the laboratory measurements were well matched with the calculations, but after about 48 hours, the experiment results were deviated from the calculations, probably due to the equilibrium interaction with the atmosphere and precipitation of carbonates. The result of this study may be not applicable to all natural environments because the pressure and $CO_2$ concentration in headspace of reaction vessels was not maintained constant as well as the temperature. Nevertheless, this study provides fundamental knowledge on the ${\delta}^{13}C_{DIC}$ evolution during $CO_2$ degassing, and therefore it can be utilized in the studies about carbonated water with low pH and the monitoring of geologic carbon sequestration.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.40-48
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• 2021

BACKGROUND: Although the calcined oyster shell can be used as a calcium-rich adsorbent for phosphate removal, information about it is limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the phosphate adsorption characteristics and its mechanism using calcined oyster shells. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, calcined oyster shell (C-OS600) was prepared by calcining oyster shells (P-OS) at 600℃ for 20 min. Phosphate adsorption by C-OS600 was performed under various environmental conditions. Phosphate adsorption by C-OS600 occurred rapidly at the beginning of the reaction, and the time to reach equilibrium was less than 1 h. The optimal isotherm and kinetic models for predicting the adsorption of phosphate by C-OS600 were the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second order kinetic model, respectively, and the maximum adsorption capacity derived from the Langmuir isotherm was 68.0 mg/g. The adsorption properties of phosphate by C-OS600 were dominantly influenced by the initial pH and C-OS600 dose. In addition, SEM-EDS and FTIR analysis clearly showed a difference in C-OS600 before and after phosphate adsorption, which proved that phosphate was adsorbed on the surface of C-OS600. CONCLUSION: Overall, the calcined oyster shell can be considered as an useful and effective adsorbent to treat wastewater containing phosphate.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.753-765
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• 2021

The Dongwon Au-Ag deposit is located within the Paleozoic Taebaeksan province, Okcheon belt. Mineral paragenesis can be divided into two stages (stage I, ore-bearing quartz veins; stage II, barren carbonate veins) by major tectonic fracturing. Stage I, at which the precipitation of major ore minerals occurred, is further divided into three substages(early, middle and late) with paragenetic time based on minor fractures and discernible mineral assemblages: early, marked by deposition of pyrite with minor magnetite, pyrrhotite and arsenopyrite; middle, characterized by introduction of electrum and base-metal sulfides with minor sulfosalts; late, marked by argentite, Cu-As (and/or Sb) and Ag-Sb sulfosalts with base-metal sulfides. Fluid inclusion data show that stage I ore mineralization was deposited between initial high temperatures (≥430℃) and later lower temperatures (≤230℃) from fluids with salinities between 6.0 to 0.4 wt. percent equiv. NaCl. The relationship of salinity and homogenization temperature suggest that ore mineralization at Dongwon was deposited mainly due to fluid boiling, cooling and dilution via influx of cooler, more dilute meteoric waters. Changes in stage I vein mineralogy reflect decreasing temperature and fugacity of sulfur by evolution of the Dongwon hydrothermal system with increasing paragenetic time. The Dongwon deposit may represents a Korean-type and/or Au-Ag type mesothermal/epithermal gold-silver deposit.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2022

The Gasado Au-Ag deposit is located within the south-western margin of the Hanam-Jindo basin. The geology of the Gasado is composed of the late Cretaceous volcaniclastic sedimentary rocks and acidic or intermediate igneous rocks. Within the deposit area, there are a number of hydrothermal quartz and calcite veins, formed by narrow open space filling along subparallel fractures in the late Cretaceous volcaniclastic sedimentary rock. Vein mineralization at the Gasado is characterized by several textural varieties such as chalcedony, drusy, comb, bladed, crustiform and colloform. The textures have been used as exploring indicators of the epithermal deposit. Mineral paragenesis can be divided into two stages (stage I, ore-bearing quartz veins; stage II, barren carbonate veins) considering major tectonic fracturing event. Stage I, at which the precipitation of Au-Ag bearing minerals occurred, is further divided into three substages (early, middle and late) with paragenetic time based on minor fractures and discernible mineral assemblages: early, marked by deposition of pyrite and pyrrhotite with minor chalcopyrite, sphalerite and electrum; middle, characterized by introduction of electrum and base-metal sulfides with minor argentite; late, marked by argentite and native silver. Au-Ag-bearing mineralization at the Gasado deposit occurred under the condition between initial high temperatures (≥290℃) and later lower temperatures (≤130℃). Changes in stage I vein mineralogy reflect decreasing temperature and fugacity of sulfur (≈10^-10.1 to ≤10^-18.5atm) by evolution of the Gasado hydrothermal system with increasing paragenetic time. The Gasado deposit may represents an epithermal gold-silver deposit which was formed near paleo-surface.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.49-62
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• 2022

The magnesium and iron-based layered double hydroxide (Mg-Fe LDH) was synthesized by the co-precipitation process and the bead type LDH (BLDH, 5~6 mm in diameter) was manufactured by using the Mg-Fe LDH and the starch as a binder. To evaluate the feasibility of the BLDH as the As stabilizer in the soil, various experiments were performed and the As stabilization efficiency of the BLDH was compared to that of powdered type LDH (PLDH, <149 ㎛ in diameter). For the As sorption batch experiment, the As sorption efficiency of both of the PLDH and the BLDH showed higher than 99%. For the stabilization experiment with soil, the As extraction reducing efficiency of the PLDH was higher than 87%, and for the BLDH, it was higher than 80%, suggesting that the BLDH has similar the feasibility of As stabilization for the contaminated soil, compared to the PLDH. From the continuous column experiments, when more than 7% BLDH was added into the soil, the As stabilization efficiency of the column maintained at over 91% for 7 pore volume flushing (simulating about 21 months of rainfall) and slowly decreased down to 64% after that time (to 36 months) under the non-equilibrium conditions. Results suggested that more than 7% of BLDH added in As-contaminated soil could be enough to stabilize As in soil for a long time. The main As fixation mechanisms on the LDH were also identified through the X-ray fluorescence (XRF), the X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analyses. Results showed that the LDH has enough of an external surface adsorption capacity and an anion exchange capability at the interlayer spaces. Results of SEM/EDS and BET analyses also supported that the Mg-Fe LDH used in this study has sufficient porous structures and outer surfaces to fix the As. The reduction of carbonate (CO₃^2-) and sulfate (SO₄^2-) anions in the LDH after the reaction between As and the LDH was observed through the FT-IR, the XRF, and the XRD analyses, suggesting that the exchange of some of these anions with the arsenate (H₂AsO₄^- or HAsO₄^2-) occurs at the LDH interlayers during the stabilization process in soil.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Groundwater Environment
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.177-191
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• 1998

For various kinds of waters including surface water, shallow groundwater (＜70 m deep) and deep groundwater (500∼810 m deep) from the Pungki area, an integrated study based on hydrochemical, multivariate statistical, thermodynamic, environmental isotopic (tritium, oxygen-hydrogen, carbon and sulfur), and mass-balance approaches was attempted to elucidate the hydrogeochemical and hydrologic characteristics of the groundwater system in the gneiss area. Shallow groundwaters are typified as the 'Ca-HCO$_3$'type with higher concentrations of Ca, Mg, SO$_4$and NO$_3$, whereas deep groundwaters are the 'Na-HCO$_3$'type with elevated concentrations of Na, Ba, Li, H$_2$S, F and Cl and are supersaturated with respect to calcite. The waters in the area are largely classified into two groups: 1) surface waters and most of shallow groundwaters, and 2) deep groundwaters and one sample of shallow groundwater. Seasonal compositional variations are recognized for the former. Multivariate statistical analysis indicates that three factors may explain about 86% of the compositional variations observed in deep groundwaters. These are: 1) plagioclase dissolution and calcite precipitation, 2) sulfate reduction, and 3) acid hydrolysis of hydroxyl-bearing minerals(mainly mica). By combining with results of thermodynamic calculation, four appropriate models of water/ rock interaction, each showing the dissolution of plagioclase, kaolinite and micas and the precipitation of calcite, illite, laumontite, chlorite and smectite, are proposed by mass balance modelling in order to explain the water quality of deep groundwaters. Oxygen-hydrogen isotope data indicate that deep groundwaters were originated from a local meteoric water recharged from distant, topograpically high mountainous region and underwent larger degrees of water/rock interaction during the regional deep circulation, whereas the shallow groundwaters were recharged from nearby, topograpically low region. Tritium data show that the recharge time was the pre-thermonuclear age for deep groundwaters (＜0.2 TU) but the post-thermonuclear age for shallow groundwaters (5.66∼7.79 TU). The $\delta$$\^$34/S values of dissolved sulfate indicate that high amounts of dissolved H$_2$S (up to 3.9 mg/1), a characteristic of deep groundwaters in this area, might be derived from the reduction of sulfate. The $\delta$$\^$13/C values of dissolved carbonates are controlled by not only the dissolution of carbonate minerals by dissolved soil CO$_2$(for shallow groundwaters) but also the reprecipitation of calcite (for deep groundwaters). An integrated model of the origin, flow and chemical evolution for the groundwaters in this area is proposed in this study.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.20-27
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• 2001

Stream water chemistry in the abandoned Boeun Jeil coal mine area was studied for a period of 3 months, including rainy and dry season. The stream waters were a nearly neutral and slightly alkali condition, and $Mg-SO_4$ type with Mg>Ca>Na>K and $SO_4>HCO_3>Cl>NO_3$. Chemical composition of the stream water was quite irregular during the experimental period. Concentrations of Na, K, $HCO_3$, U, Sr, and Cr decreased by $10{\sim}30%$ during rainy season, caused by dilution effects with rain. The concentration of Ca, Mg, $NO_3$, Cd, and Co increased during the rainy season, caused by more easily dissolved from bedrocks or mine drainage with slightly acidic condition than dry season. The stream water was enriched in Mg, Ca, $HCO_3$, $SO_4$, Al, Fe, Zn, Ni, Co, Cr, Cd, Sr and U. Concentrations of Na, Mg, Ca, $SO_4$, $HCO_3$, Fe, Zn, Ni, Sr, and U decreased linearly with distance from the mine adit. These elements were strongly controlled by dilution of unpolluted water influx and/or adsorption on the clay minerals and iron oxyhydroxide precipitates. This mine area exhibited two main weathering processes ; 1) oxidation with acidification derived from Fe sulphides, and 2) pH buffering due to Ca and Mg carbonate dissolution. This weathering processes were followed by adsorption of metals on iron oxyhydroxides and precipitation.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.507-522
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• 2001

At the Tongyeong mine, quartz, rhodochrosite (kutnahorite), muscovite, illite, pyrite, galena, chalcopyrite. sphalerite, acanthite, and hessite are the principal vein minerals. They were deposited under epithermal conditions in two stages. Ore mineral assemblages and associated gangue phases in stage can be clearly divided into two general associations: an early cycle (band) that appeared with introduction of most of the sulfides and electrum, and a later cycle in which base metal and carbonate-bearing assemblages (mostly rhodochrosite) became dominant. Tellurides and some electrum occur as small rounded grains within subhedral-to euhedral pyrite or anhedral galena in stageII. Sulfide mineralization is zoned from pyrite to galena and sphalerite. We have used computer modeling to simulate formation of four stages of vein genesis. The reaction of a single fluid with andesite host rock at 28$0^{\circ}C$, isobaric cooling of a single fluid from 26$0^{\circ}C$ to 12$0^{\circ}C$, and boiling and mixing of a fluid with both decreasing pressure and temperature were studied using the CHILLER program. Calculations show that the precipitation of alteration minerals is due to fluid-andesite interaction as temperature drops. Speciation calculations confirm that the hydrothermal fluids with moderately high salinities and pH 5.7 (acid), were capable of transporting significant quantities of base metals. The abundance of gold in fluid depends critically on the ratio of total base metals and iron to sulfide in the aqueous phase because gold is transported as an Au(HS)$_2$- complex, which is sensitive to sulfide activity. Modeling results for Tongyeong mineralization show strong influence of shallow hydrogenic processes such as boiling and fluid mixing. The variable handing in stageII mineralization is best explained by maltiple boilings of hydrothermal fluid followed by lateral mixing of the fluid with overlying diluted, steam-heated ground water. The degree of similarity of calculated mineral assemblages and observed electrum composition and field relationships shows the utility of the numerical simulation method in identifying chemical processes that accompany boiling and mixing in Te-bearing Au-Ag system. This has been applied in models to narrow the search area for epithermal ores.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.133-146
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• 2021

Aragonite is one of common polymorphs of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and formed via biological or physical processes through precipitation in many different environments including marine ecosystems. It is noted that aragonite formation and growth as well as the substitution of trace elements such as strontium (Sr) in the aragonite structure would be dependant on several key parameters such as concentrations of chemical species and temperature. In this study, properties of the incorporation of Sr into aragonite were investigated over a wide range of various saturation conditions and temperatures similar to the marine ecosystem. All pure aragonite samples were inorganically synthesized through a constant-addition method with varying concentrations of the reactive species ([Ca]=[CO₃] 0.01-1 M), injection rates of the reaction solution (0.085-17 mL/min), and solution temperatures (5-40 ℃). Pure aragonite was also formed even under the Sr incorporation conditions (0.02-0.5 M, 15-40 ℃). When temperature and saturation index (SI) with respect to aragonite increased, the crystallinity and the crystal size of aragonite increased indicating the growth of aragonite crystal. However, it was difficult to interpret the crystal growth rate because the crystal growth rate calculated using BET-specific surface area was significantly influenced by the crystal morphology. The distribution coefficient of Sr (K_Sr) into aragonite decreased from 2.37 to 1.57 with increasing concentrations of species (Ca²⁺ and CO₃^2-) at a range of 0.02-0.5 M. Similarly, it was also found that K_Sr decreased 1.90 to 1.54 at a range of 15-40 ℃. All K_Sr values are greater than 1, and the inverse correlation between the K_Sr and the crystal growth rate indicate that Sr incorporation into aragonite is in a compatible relationship.