• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.227-241
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• 2001

Several $Co_2$-rich springs in the Chungcheong area, Le., the Angsung spring, the Chojung spring, the Myungam spring, the Bukang spring and the Daepyung spring have been long known for their particular water chemistry. The occurrences of these springs are closely related to the geologic structure of Mesozoic granite such as dyke swarms, fault zones and the geologic boundary between granite and its adjacent gneiss. The $Co_2$-rich water samples show a high $Co_2$ concentration ($P_{CO2}$ 0.25 atm to 0.99 atm), weak acidic pHs and the electrical conductivity ranging from 101 to 2,950 ${\mu}$S/cm. The $Co_2$-rich water samples are classified into the Ca-$HC0_3$ type and the Ca(Na)-$HCO_3$) type in chemical composition. Environmental isotopic data $^{2}H/^{1}H, ^{18}O/^{16}O$) indicated that $Co_2$-rich water was meteoric origin. The ${\delta}^{13}C$ values of $Co_2$-rich water range from -3.1$\textperthousand$ to -6.8$\textperthousand$ PDB. The values indicate that $H_2CO_3^0$ and $HC0_3^-$ of the water samples are mainly originated from a deep-seated source and partly contributed from carbonatc minerals. The major minerals determining the chemistry of $Co_2$-rich watcr arc probably the carbonate minerals which are present as veins and secondary minerals, and the plagiocalse in granite and gneiss.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.561-573
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• 1999

Mesothermal gold deposits of the Heungdeok, Daewon and Ilsaeng mines in the Youngdong area occur in fault shear zones in Precambrian metamorphic rocks of central Sobaegsan Massif, Korea, and formed in single stage of massive quartz veins (0.3 to 3 m thick). Ore mineralogy is simple, consisting dominantly of pyrrhotite, sphalerite and galena with subordinate pyrite, chalcopyrite, electrum, tetrahedrite and native bismuth. Fluid inclusion data indicate that hydrothermal mineralization occurred at high temperatures (>240$^{\circ}$ to 400$^{\circ}$C) from $H_{2}O-CO_{2}(-CH_{4})$-NaCI fluids with salinities less than 12 wt. % equiv. NaC!. Fluid inclusions in vein quartz comprise two main types. These are, in decreasing order of abundance, type I (aqueous liquid-rich) and type II (carbonic). Volumetric proportion of the carbonic phase in type II inclusions varies widely in a single quartz grain. Estimated $CH_4$ contents in the carbonic phase of type II inclusions are 2 to 20 mole %. Relationship between homogenization temperature and salinity of fluid inclusions suggests a complex history of fluid evolution, comprising the early fluid's unmixing accompanying $CO_2$ effervescence and later cooling. Estimated pressures of vein filling are at least 2 kbars. The ore mineralization formed from a magmatic fluid with the ${\delta}^{34}S_{{\Sigma}S}$, ${\delta}^{18}O_{water}$ and ${\delta}D_{water}$ values of -2.1 to 2.2$\textperthousand$, 4.7 to 9.3$\textperthousand$ and -63 to -79$\textperthousand$, respectively. This study validates the application of a magmatic model for the genesis of mesothermal gold deposits in Youngdong area.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 1989

Electrum-galena-sphalerite mineralization of the Yangpyeong-Weonju Au-Ag area was deposited in three stages of quartz and calcite veins which fill fault breccia zones. Fluid inclusion and stable isotope data show that ore mineralization was deposited at temperatures between $260^{\circ}C$ and $180^{\circ}C$ from fluids with salinities between 8.9 and 2.9 equivalent weight percent NaCl. Evidence of boiling indicates pressures of <50 bars, corresponding to depths of 220 to 550 m, respectively, assuming lithostatic and hydrostatic loads. Au-Ag deposition was likely a result of bolling coupled with cooling. Within stages I and II there is an apparent increase in ${\delta}^{34}S$ values of $H_2S$ with paragenetic time ; early -1.4~2.7‰ to later 6.6-9.2‰. The progressively heavier $H_2S$ values can be generated through isotopic re-equilibration in the ore fluid following removal of $H_2S$ by boiling or precipitation of sulfides. Measured and calculated hydrogen and oxygen isotope values of ore-forming fluids suggest meteoric water dominance, approaching unexchanged meteoric water values. Comparison of these values with those of other Korean Au-Ag deposits reveals a relationship between depth and degree of water-rock interaction. All investigated Korean Jurassic and Cretaceous gold-silver-bearing deposits have fluids which are dominantly evolved, meteoric water, but on1y deeper systems (${\geq}1.25km$) are exclusively gold-rich.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.367-379
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• 2019

Pyeongan Supergroup (PS) in the Taebaeksan basin preserves key geological evidences to understand the tectonometamorphic evolution of the Songrim orogeny that affected the formation of the Korean Peninsula during the late Paleozoic to early Mesozoic. The aims of this paper therefore are to investigate the characteristics of the Songrim orogeny based on the previous results of metamorphism and deformations of the PS, and then to review geological significance and research necessity of the PS. Age distributions and Th/U ratio of detrital zircon in the PS indicate that sedimentary environment of the Taebaeksan basin during the late Paleozoic was arc-related foreland basin and retro-arc foreland basin at the active continental margin. In addition, the main magmatic activities occurred in the early Pennsylvanian and Middle Permian, thus sedimentation and magmatic activities occurred simultaneously. The PS was affected by lower temperature-medium pressure (M1) and medium temperature and pressure (M2) regional metamorphism during the Songrim orogeny. During M1, slate and phyllite containing chloritoid, andalusite, kyanite porphyroblasts intensively deformed by E-W bulk crustal shortening combined with folding and shearing. And garnet and staurolite porphyroblasts were formed during the N-S bulk crustal shortening accompained by M2. Such regional metamorphism of the PS is interpreted to occur in an area where high strain zone is localized during ca. 220-270 Ma. In order to elucidate the evolution of the Taebaeksan basin and tectonic features of the Songrim orogeny, it is expected that the study will be carried out such as the regional distribution of metamorphic zones developed in the PS, characteristics and timing of deformations, and late Paleozoic paleo-geography of the Taebaeksan basin.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.275-290
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• 2019

Geochemical study was conducted to elucidate the origin of fluorine (F) distributed in the rocks within the four areas of Yongyudo and Sammokdo, Incheon, which have been used as the source area of land reclamation for the $3^{rd}$ and $4^{th}$ stage construction sites of the Incheon International Airport. The main geology of the study area is Triassic biotite granite. Fluorine is contained at high levels in biotite granite, mylonite, and dykes (andesite and, basaltic-andesite). Furthermore, the higher concentrations of fluorine in the biotite granite can be contributed to fluorite. The results of microscopic analyses reveal that the fluorite was mostly observed as small vienlets together with quartz. This features support that fluorite was naturally formed due to the secondary process of hydrothermal fluids. In addition, fluorine was investigated to be highly enriched in a large amount of mica within the veins. In the case of mylonite, a high levels of fluorine was contributed to a large amount of sericite. The sericites contained in the mylointe, differently to those of the biotite granite, filled the micro-fractures of quartz formed as a result of mylonitization and included small cataclastic quartz grains. This indicates that fluorine was naturally enriched due to the alteration of hydrothermal fluids filling fractured zones formed by mylonitization. Consequently, the results of petrological and mineralogical study confirm that the fluorine distributed in the rocks within the Yongyudo and Sammokdo originated naturally.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.339-352
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• 2022

As environmental criteria items are increased or strengthened, cases of heavy metal contamination by geogenic origin are increasing, and the need to distinguish between natural and anthropogenic origins in soil or groundwater exceeding the standard is increasing. In this study, geochemical occurrences of geogenic heavy metals were identified through statistical processing of the national geochemical map data and evaluation of geochemical characteristics of regions with high geoaccumulation indices. Cobalt, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn were targeted for which the national geochemical maps were prepared, and Co, Cr, Ni, and V derived from ultrabasic or ultramafic rocks were classified as factor 1. Copper, Pb and Zn of non-ferrous sulfide origin were classified as factor 2. In particular, enrichment of heavy metals by factor 1 occurs mainly in the serpentine distribution areas of the Chungcheong region, and there is a risk of contamination in neighboring areas. In the case of factor 2, geogenic occurrence is concerned not only in non-ferrous metal mineralization areas such as Taebacksan and Gyeongnam mineralization zones, but also in Au-Ag mineralization areas distributed nationwide.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2022

The mechanical and thermal properties of the rock masses can affect the performance associated with both the isolating and retarding capacities of radioactive materials within the deep geological disposal system for High-Level Radioactive Waste (HLW). In this study, the essential parameters for the site descriptive model (SDM) related to the rock mechanics and thermal properties of the HLW disposal facilities site were reviewed, and the technical background was explored through the cases of the preceding site descriptive models developed by SKB (Swedish Nuclear and Fuel Management Company), Sweden and Posiva, Finland. SKB and Posiva studied parameters essential for the investigation and evaluation of mechanical and thermal properties, and derived a rock mechanics site descriptive model for safety evaluation and construction of the HLW disposal facilities. The rock mechanics SDM includes the results obtained from investigation and evaluation of the strength and deformability of intact rocks, fractures, and fractured rock masses, as well as the geometry of large-scaled deformation zones, the small-scaled fracture network system, thermal properties of rocks, and the in situ stress distribution of the disposal site. In addition, the site descriptive model should provide the sensitivity analysis results for the input parameters, and present the results obtained from evaluation of uncertainty.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.497-510
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• 2022

Monthly monitoring, 3D scan survey, and electrical resistivity survey were conducted from January 2018 to August 2022 to identify the cause of rockfall occurring in Daljeon-ri Columnar Joint (Natural Monument No. 415), Pohang. A total of 3,231 rocks fell from the columnar joint over the past 5 years, and 1,521 (47%) of the falling rocks were below 20 cm in length, 978 (30.3%) of 20-30 cm, and 732 (22.7%) of rocks over 30 cm. While the number of rockfalls by year has decreased since 2018, the frequency of rockfalls bigger than 30 cm tends to increase. Large-scale rockfalls occurred mainly during the thawing season (March-April) and the rainy season (June-July), and the analysis of the relationship between cumulative rainfall and rockfall occurrence showed that cumulative rainfall for 3 to 4 days is also closely related to the occurrence of rockfall. Smectite and illite, which are expansible clay minerals, were observed in XRD analysis of the slope material (filling minerals) in the columnar joint, and the presence of a fault fracture zone was confirmed in the electrical resistivity survey. In addition, the confirmed fault fracture zone and the maximum erosion point analyzed through 3D precision measurement coincided with the main rockfall occurrence point observed by the BTC-6PXD camera. Therefore, the main cause of rockfall at Daljeon-ri columnar joint in Pohang is a combination of internal factors (development of fault fracture zones and joints, weathering of rocks, presence of expansive clay minerals) and external factors (precipitation, rapid thawing phenomenon), resulting in large-scale rockfall. Meanwhile, it was also confirmed that the Pohang-Gyeongju earthquake, which was continuously raised, was not the main cause.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.271-280
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• 2024

This study examines the European Union (EU)'s policies on managing nitrate contamination in groundwater and provides implications for the future groundwater management in South Korea. Initiated by the 1991 Nitrate Directive, the EU has pursued a multifaceted approach to reduce agricultural nitrate pollution through sustainable ('good') farming practices, regular nitrate level monitoring, and designating Nitrate Vulnerable Zones. Further policy integrations, like the Water Framework Directive and Groundwater Directive, have established comprehensive protection strategies, including the use of pollutant threshold values. Recently, the 2019 Green Deal escalated efforts against nitrates, aligning with broader environmental and climate objectives. This review aims to explore these developments, highlighting key mitigation strategies against nitrate pollution, and providing valuable insights for the future sustainable groundwater nitrate management in South Korea, emphasizing the importance of preventive measures and collaborative efforts to restore and improve groundwater quality.

• Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.419-436
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• 2011

Korean farm villages are locked in vicious circle, as lots of their problems related to low income and hollow matters are geared and multiply. To get over those problems, various plans to develop Korean farm villages are being pushed ahead. In addition, since the early of 1990s, Korea has been projects to develop settlement zones and culture villages. It has been also preceeding with a comprehensive development project of farm villages and a new vitalizations project, etc. All of these projects aim to reorganize and expand life environments, industrial bases, and convenience and welfare facilities. The existing studies on a comprehensive project to develop farm villages have been focusing on evaluation indexes, problems, investment priorities, etc. But in fact, studies on a comprehensive development project of farm villages are not thoroughgoing enough in aspects of residents' attitude and their recognition on the influence on tourist development. Thus, this study aims to present strategic schemes to allow residents to actively participate in a stage of promoting a comprehensive development project of farm villages, a stage of making the plan, and a stage of the implementation. For this, this study analyzes a comprehensive development project of farm villages and attempts to figure out which influence the tourist development in farm villages has on residents' attitude and recognition resulting from changes in economic, social cultural, and environmental aspects. Especially, this study previously examines what influential factors there exists are and what influences the development of farm villages has on residents. Based on the results from the above analysis, schemes to enable residents to actively a comprehensive development project of farm villages are presented as follows. First, it is necessary to raise our recognition on tourism and tourism development of farm villages. If the main theme of a comprehensive development project of farm villages intends farm village development, it is required to educate residents and let them clearly raise their recognition on tourism, and the effect of the project is guaranteed. Second, it is highly required to make a plan so that we can feel economic effects of revenues through project promotion and positive effects including the expansion of infrastructures and welfare facilities, etc. Third, it is necessary to bring into relief the positive recognition and attitude of a comprehensive development project of farm villages. As for the negative recognition and attitude, it is very important to change negative residents' recognition to the positive direction and to allow them to participate in and to take an interest in the project, so that the project can be effectively promoted.