• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.817-830
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• 2023

This study investigates the age of the surficial rocks in the Arunta region using Uranium-Lead (U-Pb) geochronological dating. Rock samples were collected at four locations, Cattle-Water Pass (CP 1610), Gough Dam (GD 1622 and GD 1610), and London-Eye (LE 1601), within the Strangways Metamorphic Complex and crushed by selFragging. Subsequently, the zircon grains were imaged using Cathodoluminescence (CL) analysis and the U-Pb (uranium and lead) isotope ratios and the chrono-stratigraphy were measured. The imaged zircon revealed an anomalous heterogeneous crystal structure. Ellipses of the samples at locations GD1601, CP1610, and GD1622 fall below the intercept indicating the ages produced discordant patterns, whereas LE1601 intersects the Concordia curve at two points, implying the occurrence of an event of significant impact. For the rock sample at CP1610, the estimated mean age is 1742.2 ± 9.2 Ma with mean squared weighted deviation (MSWD) = 0.49 and probability of equivalence of 0.90; 1748 ± 15 Ma - MSWD = 1.02 and probability of equivalence of 0.40 for GD1622; and 1784.4 ± 9.1 Ma with MSWD of 1.09 and probability of equivalence of 0.37 for LE1601. But for samples at GD1601, two different age groups with different means occurred: 1) below the global mean (1792.2 ± 32 Ma) estimated at 1738.2 ± 14 Ma with MSWD of 0.109 and probability of equivalence of 0.95 and 2) above it with mean of 1838.22 ± 14 Ma, MSWD of 1.6 and probability of equivalence of 0.95. Analysis of the zircon grains has shown a discrepancy in the age range between 1700 Ma and 1800 Ma compared to the ASO dated to have occurred between 440 and 300 Ma. Moreover, apparent similarity in age of the core and rim means that the mineral crystallized relatively quickly without significant interruptions and effect on the isotopic system. This may have constraint the timing and extent of geological events that might have affected the mineral, such as metamorphism or hydrothermal alteration.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.263-270
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• 2024

In this study, impact factors for dehydration with KOMIR-Tube system using flocculant and dewatering tube were evaluated for mine drainage sludges. The experiments were conducted on semi-active facility sludges with water contents above 90 % using KOMIR-Tube system. The flocculant and input amount were determined from laboratory experiment and the dewatering efficiency was verified onsite experiment. The sludge characteristics were identified by instrumental analysis such as zeta potential measurement, particle size analysis, XRD, XRF and SEM-EDS. Selection of flocculants for sludge dewatering treatment need to consider not only precipitated rate but also filterated rate. Floc size has to keep at least 0.7 mm. From on-site experiments, sludge dewatering using KOMIR-Tube system suggests to carry out April and May that is low rainfall and humidity considering to climate conditions. Also, dewatering rate depends on the crystal degree of mineral that mainly makes up sludges. Particularly, goethite of the iron hydroxides has better dewatering rate than ferrihydrite. Ferrihydrite is low degree of crystallinity and uncleared or broad shaped crystal, goethite is good crystallinity with needle shaped crystal so that the effect of flocculation and dewatering showed to depend on the crystal. In results, impact factors of dewatering for mine drainage sludges are related to flocculant, climate, crystallinity and shape of iron hydroxides.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.105-125
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• 2017

Although the relationship between social networking sites (SNS) use and performance has been widely studied, most of these studies have focused on comparing the SNS users' overall performance with that of non-SNS users instead of examining how using SNS midway of a task affects one's task performance. To address this research gap, an experiment was conducted to examine SNS use during a task and its influence on the performance of that task. In this experiment, the role of SNS in various situations was examined by reviewing the literature on break and performance as well as the types of breaks and tasks. Owing to its exploratory nature, this study used various types of data, such as electroencephalography interpretation data generated from a brain-computer interface, self-reported data, and data recorded by a computer. Those participants who used SNS showed an improved performance compared with those who took a short break while doing a simple task. Further analysis showed that the degree of SNS usage and engagement with SNS had positive effects on the participants' simple task performance, while social presence and reassurance of self-worth had negative and positive effects on the participants' complex task performance, respectively.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2024

Forward head posture (FHP) is a representative postural deformation problem in people today, causing various physical and mental problems, but the effect of FHP on discomfort or distraction during rest is not well known. Accordingly, this study aims to demonstrate the effect of FHP on these brain functions by analyzing brain wave signals at rest. Thirty-three heavy users of computers participated in this study, and all of them exhibited functional FHP when using computers. All participants performed using both normal posture and FHP, and their brain waves were measured at rest while maintaining each posture for five minutes without stimulation. Brain wave signals were acquired using EEG with 32 channels, and through frequency analysis, changes in delta and beta waves, known to be closely related to discomfort and attention, were compared and analyzed depending on the posture. As a result, FHP showed a significant decrease in delta waves in nine channels compared to the normal posture, and a significant increase in beta waves in 14 channels, showing that FHP does affect brain function at rest. These changes are consistent with those that occur under conditions of psychological discomfort and distraction, and they appear to be because the increased discomfort caused by musculoskeletal changes in the FHP also affects brain activity. These can provide important results showing that posture correction can help improve brain function and psychological state at rest.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.673-684
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• 2012

Quantitative understanding of total carbon, total inorganic carbon and total organic carbon contained in ocean sediments is a basic data for interpretation of oceanic sediment environments. Elemental analyzer(EA) is frequently used for the analysis of carbon contents in inland soils and ocean sediments. Carbon and nitrogen contents of the soil reference material analyzed by an EA were 2.30% and 0.21% with standard deviations of 0.02 and 0.01, respectively. Relative standard deviations were 0.01 and 0.06, respectively, representing a high precision. Regression analysis of TOC and TC analysis results for the samples with TOC of less than 2.0% for the site in Hyung-Do showed a linear relationship with a slope of 0.9743($R^2$=0.9989, n=38), and the results of a relationship regression analysis between total organic carbon contents less than 0.5% and average grain size except for two samples showed a linear relationship with a slope of 0.0444($R^2$=0.6937 n=36). TOC contents of surface sediments were in the ranges of 0.10~1.67%(Average $0.26{\pm}0.37%$) with TOC values of 1.67% at S02 sampling site, 1.13% at S07 sampling site, and less than 1.00% at remaining sites. In the case of PC 01 core sediments, TOC showed the highest value of 0.20% near 70 cm. In the case of PC 02 core sediments, the highest value of 0.24% was indicated near 60 cm. The analysis method of organic carbon obtained from Hyung-Do Intertidal zone sediment sample results may be considered applicable to an organic carbon analysis for ocean sediments and useful for organic carbon analysis experiments of ocean sediments with a reduction in time required for the analysis and a high precision coupled with a high accuracy.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.563-575
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• 2024

In Korea, talc, vermiculite, sepiolite, and serpentine were designated as minerals likely to contain asbestos (MLCA) according to the Ministry of Environment (Asbestos Safety Management Act). The asbestos content in commercial products made of MLCA must not exceed 0.1 %. In this study, mineralogical analyses using PLM, XRD, and TEM-EDS were used to characterize the presence, content, and morphological characteristics of asbestos in MLCA-containing commercial products. A total of 28 samples were analyzed, including 18 cosmetics containing talc, 5 fertilizers containing vermiculite, 2 pet sanitary products containing sepiolite, and 3 accessories containing serpentine. All samples were heated at 450 ℃ for 6 hours to remove organic matter prior to XRD and PLM analyses according to the Ministry of Environment guidelines. Additionally, the presence and morphology of elongated mineral particles (EMPs) were investigated using TEM-EDS analysis according to the recently revised asbestos analysis method (FDA-2020-N-0025) by the US FDA. The analyses showed that no asbestos was detected in both talc-containing cosmetics and sepiolite-containing products, but actinolite asbestos was found (<0.25 %) in vermiculite-containing fertilizers and chrysotile was found (<0.25 %) in decorative serpentine stones. In TEM-EDS analysis, multiple columnar/fibrous particles measuring 0.5 ㎛ or more in length were observed in talc-containing products, and short chrysotile fibers were observed in bracelets containing serpentine. Therefore, these results indicated that the MLCA-containing products that come into direct contact with the human body would require management through precise inspection and continuous monitoring considering EMPs of 5 ㎛ or less. Furthermore, TEM-EDS for asbestos analysis indicated that it could overcome the detection limits of XRD and PLM analyses for short or thin asbestos fibers, thereby improving the precision and accuracy of asbestos analysis.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.167-176
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• 2018

It is necessary to consider various geological parameters such as lithology, geological structure, earthquake, hydraulic geology, geochemistry, geological engineering, and geothermal in order to select potential sites for HLW(high-level radioactive waste) geological disposal. In particular, the geological lineament reflects the characteristics of various geological parameters and can be used as an important criterion for site selecting such as nuclear power plants and HLW repositories. In this paper, the Finnish lineament classification method for HLW disposal site selection through the lineament analysis was applied to the lineament data in the Korean peninsula. For this purpose, we used previous lineament data from the KIGAM(Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources) and obtained new lineament data from the field geologists such as structural geologist, paleoseismologist, and geomorphologist. To ensure the reliability of the new lineament analysis data, we used high-resolution satellite images and hill-shade relief maps which were constructed by a digital elevation model. In the prevailing direction analysis from the acquired lineament data, the NNE-SSW direction was the most dominant, but the ENE-WSW and NNW-SSE directions also showed highly frequency depending on the experts. Applying the Finnish classification method, the geometrical development characteristics of the lineament corresponding to the Class 1 and 2 used for the wide-wide candidate site were compared. As a result of direction analysis for Class 1, the NNE-SSW direction was the most dominant and the WNW-ESE direction also showed a high frequency. In the case of Class 2, the NNE-SSW is the most prevalent and WNW-ESE or ENE-WSW direction also had highly frequency depending on the experts. Different lineament analysis results based on the same data are interpreted as a result of subjective experience and analytical criteria from the every experts. Therefore, it is necessary to establish integrated criteria and consider geophysical data for the publication of reliable nation-wide lineament map.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.259-274
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• 2019

Using portable XRF and SWIR analyzer, the characteristics of element dispersion and wallrock alterations induced by interaction between hydrothermal fluids and host rocks were investigated and ore exploration factors were estimated for the orogenic-type Samgwang Au deposits. On this purpose, in-situ measurements were conducted for 804 spots at regular intervals with a total of 4,824 times for host rocks, consisting of schist and gneiss, and altered wallrocks contacted with quartz veins in the Bonhang adit of the deposit, and the results were compared with quantitative data obtained by XRF and ICP analysis. The regression coefficients are 0.88 for major elements and 0.56 for trace elements, excluding V. For polished rock slabs, better results came out for major elements, 0.97 and for trace elements, 0.65. In altered wallrocks contacted with quartz veins, elements such as Fe, Zn, and Rb exhibit positive correlations with As in concentrations, while V forms a negative trend. Contour maps demonstrate that As, Zn, Rb, Fe, Ti, Cr, and Ni are enriched together near quartz veins, showing similar elemental behaviors. In-situ analysis using portable SWIR analyzer represents that schist and gneiss contain mica, illite, chlorite, sericite, amphibole, and epidote, while illite, sericite, gypsum, and mica are present in the altered rocks contacted with quartz veins. In contour maps, chlorite occurs mostly in host rocks, while sericite is concentrated near quartz veins. These results are similar to those of previous studies for element dispersion and hydrothermal alteration, and support the possibility for application of in-situ analysis on the exploration of orogenic gold deposit.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.115-130
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• 2015

Extended elastic impedance (EEI) is an extension of elastic impedance (EI) which is a generalization of acoustic impedance (AI) for nonzero angles of incidence and can be tuned to be proportional to reservoir properties. In this study, we evaluated EEI inversion by estimating the P-($V_p$) and S-wave velocities ($V_s$), P-wave to S-wave velocity ratio ($V_p/V_s$), and Poisson's ratio of the Second Wall Creek Sand of the Teapot Dome field, Wyoming, USA. We also applied the EEI inversion technique to estimate porosity, gamma-ray values, and density of the Second Wall Creek Sand. Data used in the study include 3-D pre-stack seismic data from the southern part of the field and four wells, selected from a large well database. The $V_s$ logs at the wells were constructed from the $V_p$ logs using the empirical relationships. The percent prediction errors for the four velocity properties are less than about 5% except for Poisson's ratio at one well, supporting that the EEI inversion can be used in the prediction of rock properties. However, the results from the EEI inversion analysis of porosity, gamma-ray values, and density at the wells were unsatisfactory and thus these properties, which are not directly computed from velocities, may not be suitable for EEI inversion.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.237-253
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• 2012

The Mireuksaji stone pagoda is constructed Baekje Period in the 7th century which is located in Iksan, Korea. This stone pagoda designated by National Treasure No. 11 is the only remaining pagoda. This pagoda has lost the original form in part and the whole stonework wase dismantled. Work for the restoration is currently in progress. This study was divided into soil strata such as construct layer of the temple site, foundation layer of the pagoda basement, and construct layer of the stylobate by stratum to interpretation the skill of rammed earth and making techniques. The of physical, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of soil samples were identified. Five pieces of soil in and around the Mireuksaji temple site was selected for the comparative study to interpretate the mutual homogeneity among soil stratum. As a result, artificial addition has not been identified in all soil samples using rammed earth. The soils used for the basement of the stone pagoda (construct layer of the temple site, foundation layer of the pagoda basement, construct layer of the stylobate) were confirmed to be the same origin as soil in and around Mireuksaji temple site. Thus these results indicate that the basement of the pagoda was constructed using soils in and around the Mireuksaji temple site without work as careful selection.