• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.463-475
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• 2020

Presence of microplastics in soil and groundwater has recently been reported and environmental concerns are raised as to the plastic pollution. In the subsurface environment, clay minerals and metal oxide minerals are commonly found as finely dispersed states. Because the minerals have high sorption capacities for diverse pollutants, interactions with mineral surface play an important role in the transport of microplastics in groundwater. Accordingly, environmental mineralogy investigating the interactions between microplastics and mineral surfaces is the essential research area to understand the fate and transport of microplastics in the subsurface environment. The microplastic-mineral surface research requires molecular- to nano-scale analyses to be able to probe the relatively weak interactions between them. The current report introduces a nano-scale analysis tool called quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) that can measure the sorbed/desorbed mass of nanoplastics on mineral surfaces at the level of a few nanograms (~10-9 g). This report briefly reviews the main principles in the QCM measurement and discusses applications of QCM to the environmental mineralogy research.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 1992

Sand and silt size fractions of soils which were derived from five major rocks of granite, granite-geniss, limestone, shale, and basalt in Korea were studied. Determination of the mineralogical and chemical composition of rock-forming mineral breakdown which is accompanied by the formation of secondary minerals. The chemical composition of the fraction was largely changed with the content of weatherable and resistant soil minerals such as ferromagenesian minerals, carbonates, and guartz. In the sand fractions of the soils from the granite and granite-gneiss, chlorite-vermiculite mixed layers seem to be an intermediate weathering product prior to the weathering state of the formation of vermiculite from chlorite. Kaolin minerals in the silt fractions of the soils from the granite-gneiss are considered to be formed by the pseudomorphic transformation of plagioclase. In the sand and silt fractions of the soils derived from the limestone, large amount of calcite and dolomite seems to have been inherited from the parent rocks. The primary chloritc, micas, and feldspars are considered to be formed from the weathering remains after leaching of carbonate minerals during the soil formation. In the residual soils(Gueom series) developed from the basalt, quartz and micas were coexisted with plagioclase and augite inherited from the parent rock.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.307-327
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• 2008

Geochemical study on the rocks and minerals of the Gyeongju low and intermediate level waste repository was carried out in order to provide geochemical data for the safety assessment and geochemical modeling. Polarized microscopy, X-ray diffraction method, chemical analysis for the major and trace elements, scanning electron microscopy(SEM), and stable isotope analysis were applied. Fracture zones are locally developed with various degrees of alteration in the study area. The study area is mainly composed of granodiorite and diorite and their relation is gradational in the field. However, they could be easily distinguished by their chemical property. The granodiorite showed higher $SiO_2$ content and lower MgO and $Fe_2O_3$ contents than the diorite. Variation trends of the major elements of the granodiorite and diorite were plotted on the same line according to the increase of $SiO_2$ content suggesting that they were differentiated from the same magma. Spatial distribution of the various elements showed that the diorite region had lower $SiO_2,\;Al_2O_3,\;Na_2O\;and\;K_2O$ contents, and higher CaO, $Fe_2O_3$ contents than the granodiorite region. Especially, because the differences in the CaO and $Na_2O$ distribution were most distinct and their trends were reciprocal, the chemical variation of the plagioclase of the granitic rocks was the main parameter of the chemical variation of the host rocks in the study area. Identified fracture-filling minerals from the drill core were montmorillonite, zeolite minerals, chlorite, illite, calcite and pyrite. Especially pyrite and laumontite, which are known as indicating minerals of hydrothermal alteration, were widely distributed in the study area indicating that the study area was affected by mineralization and/or hydrothermal alteration. Sulfur isotope analysis for the pyrite and oxygen-hydrogen stable isotope analysis for the clay minerals indicated that they were originated from the magma. Therefore, it is considered that the fracture-filling minerals from the study area were affected by the hydrothermal solution as well as the simply water-rock interaction.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2010

The crucibles of Baekje Kingdom from the Ssangbukri Site which were used for glass and metal melting had light brown, grayish blue and grayish brown colored bodies. In thin section, the crucibles contained numerous quartz grains and pottery fragments. The surface was covered with fine grained quartz for thermal resistance. Based on decomposition of mica group minerals and formation of mullite detected by X-ray diffraction analysis, it was inferred that all crucibles have been fired over $1,000^{\circ}C$. It was also found that firing temperature has exceeded $1,100^{\circ}C$ in some crucibles because feldspar was not detected. The maximum temperature was assumed at $1,200^{\circ}C$. The magnetic susceptibility values and geochemical characteristics sorted out the crucibles into two groups that differed from the characteristics of the local soils. This reflected geological setting of the site where the alluvium was formed from two kinds of surrounding rock masses, granite gneiss and biotite granite. However, the local soils had similarities with the crucibles in weathering degree and geochemical behavior of major elements. In consequence, it was considered that the raw clay of the crucibles was supplied from the local area of the site.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.107-114
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• 2014

In this study, we tried to determine the origin of fine-grained sediments in Southeastern Yellow Sea Mud patch (SEYSM) using principal component analysis coupled with semi-quantitative X-ray diffraction analysis for 4 major clay minerals. We used 51 marine surface sediments from SEYSM and 33 surface sediments of rivers flowing into the Yellow Sea. We made bioplot diagram using R program with principal component 1 and component 2 because the two components might contain about 98% of all data. The content of each clay mineral in the south and north regions of SEYSM are almost similar. In the biplot, SEYSM sediments distribute close to Korean rivers sediments than Huanghe and Changjiang sediments. Based on these results, we suggest that SEYSM is originated from the Korean rivers sediments. The higher accumulation rate in the SEYSM compared to the sediment discharge from neighboring Korean rivers can be explained by erosion and reworking of surface sediments in this area. The principal component analysis can be used for the provenance research of marine sediments around the Korean Peninsula.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.9
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• pp.1394-1399
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• 2014

Quality characteristics of radish treated with red clay-processed materials (RCPM) were investigated. Two different types of treatments using RCPM including a control were farm-raised in identical environments. General components, texture, nutrients, and antioxidant activities were performed. For general components analysis, total amounts of crude fat and ash were higher in radish treated with RCPM than in control. RCPM-treated radish showed higher contents of minerals (P, Mg, K, Zn, Mn, and Na) and vitamins (vitamin C, thiamin, and riboflavin) than those of control. RCPM-treated radish exhibited higher DPPH radical scavenging activities and total polyphenol contents than those of control, indicating higher antioxidant activities of radish raised by RCPM. In the textural analysis following refrigeration for 4 weeks, RCPM-treated samples showed a more stable texture and higher hardness values than those of control. Therefore, these results indicate that RCPM can be used to produce high-value radish of premium quality.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.19 no.3 s.49
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• pp.163-169
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• 2006

Mineralogy and geochemistry of the sediment core from the seamount (2710 m below the sea level) just south of the Antarctic Polar Front were examined to draw paleoceanographic information in glacial-interglacial cycles. Smectite was most abundant clay mineral associated with illite and chlorite. Its content was slightly higher below 170 cm, suggesting a boundary between isotope stage 4 and 5. Si, Zr, Cs, Th, REE, $K_{2}O$, and $Al_{2}O_{3}$ show complete antithetical distribution with respect to $CaCO_{3}$ through the core. $SiO_{2}$ maxima and $CaCO_{3}$ minima at depths of 24, 136, and 176 cm are probably correlated with massive influx of ice-rafted debris during the advance of Antarctic ice shelves. Ni, Cu, and Ba show rather little correlation with $SiO_{2}$, suggesting their relation to biogenic debris, precipitation from seawater, or hydrothermal input. Particularly, Ba maxima tend to lag $10{\sim}20cm$ after $SiO_{2}$ maxima, probably due to rapid increase of productivity following deglaciation.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.189-196
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• 2013

In this study, we tried to define the origin of fine-grained sediments in Southwestern Cheju Island Mud (SWCIM) using principal component analysis. We used relative clay mineral compositions using 138 marine surface sediments, 4 Huanghe sediments and 3 Changjiang river sediments by the semi-quantitative X-ray diffraction analysis. We made bioplot diagram using R program with principal component 1 and component 2 because they might contain more than 90% of all data. Although the distribution pattern of each clay minerals in SWCIM is so intricate, smectite and kaolinite contents are high in the west region, but illite and chlorite contents are rich in the east region. In the biplot, the east region of SWCIM distribute around Changjiang river, whereas west region of SWCIM disperse around Huanghe. Our results might reveal that west region of SWCIM is mainly originated by Huanghe, but east region of SWCIM by Changjiang River.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.313-322
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• 2011

On September 2007, numerous slopes at Jeonranam-Do collapsed as a result of rainfall related to Typhoon Nari. Failure occurred at a road cut-slope on the ${\bigcirc}{\bigcirc}$ detour road, damaging transport infrastructure. This study aims to determine the cause of failure based on field investigations, the geotechnical properties of soil, clay mineral composition, and quantitative analysis. The studied cut slope consists of weathered soil that originated from volcanic rocks, and minor faults and a mafic dyke. Surface water tends to seep into the soil because the roadway is not sealed and because of poorly installed drainage. Sieve and XRD analyses indicate that soils in the failure zone are ML and CH, which are prone to swelling due to the presence of clay minerals such as smectite and vermiculite. The slope failed due to the improper construction of drainage facilities, the presence of geological weak zones, and high soil contents of swelling clay.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.47-64
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• 2015

The excavated potteries and raw clays of the Bronze Age from the archaeological sites in the Cheonan-Asan area were studied on material scientific characteristics and homogeneity. Under the microscope, grainsize of the tempers in the potteries were distributed from less than 1mm to 10mm. Microtexture of the potteries showed various shapes and sizes of pores. In addition to the main minerals such as quartz, feldspar, mica, hornblende, chlorite and talc were found from the X-ray diffraction analysis of potteries, while talc was not found in the raw clay. Therefore, it was considered as an artificially added mineral. Firing temperature of the potteries, which did not contain chlorite, are assumed that they were baked below $850^{\circ}C$. On the other hand, the potteries which had mica and talc, are assumed that they were fired below $900^{\circ}C$. The geochemical characteristics of the potteries and raw clays showed very similar patterns, that means the potteries were produced by using the raw clay sources from each site.