• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.555-566
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• 2008

Hydrogeochemical study in Samseung area (Boeun, Chungbuk) and waterrock interaction experiment using rock samples from the area were performed to elucidate the fluoride source in groundwater and explaining geochemical behavior of fluoride ion. Fluoride concentration of public water supply mostly using groundwater in Boeun area was significantly higher in South Korea. The maximum fluoride concentration of the study area was 3.9 mg/L, and 23% of samples exceeded the Korean Drinking Water Standard of fluoride (1.5 mg/L). The average concentration of fluoride was 1.0 mg/L and median was 0.5 mg/L. Because of high skewness (1.3), median value is more appropriate to represent fluoride level of this area. The relationships between fluoride ion and geochemical parameters ($Na^+$, $HCO_3$, pH, etc.) indicated that the degree of waterrock interaction was not significant. However, high fluoride samples were observed in $NaHCO_3$ type on Piper's diagram. The negative relationship between fluoride and $NO_3$ ion which might originate from surface contaminants was obvious. These results indicate that fluoride ion in groundwater is geogenic origin. The source of fluoride was proved by waterrock interaction batch test. Fluoride concentration increased up to 1.2 mg/L after 96 hours of reaction between water and biotite granite. However, the relationship between well depth and fluoride ion, and groundwater age and fluoride ion was not clear. This indicates that fluoride ion is not correlated with degree of waterrock interaction in this area but local heterogeneity of fluoriderich minerals in granite terrain. High fluoride concentration in Boeun area seems to be correlated with distribution of permeable structures in hard rocks such as lineaments and faults of this area. This entails that the deep bedrock groundwater discharges through the permeable structures and mixed with shallow groundwater.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2010

Changes in wetland soil properties of two constructed wetlands after their constructions were compared to those of a natural wetland to determine if they could be used for the evaluation of the success of constructed wetlands and the assessment of their functions. One natural wetland as a reference wetland and two constructed wetlands(treatment wetland and experimental wetland) with different contaminant inflow characteristics were selected for this study. Major physicochemical properties of wetland soil such as soil texture, water content, pH, CEC(cation exchange capacity), organic matter content, total nitrogen, and available phosphorus were monitored to investigate the effects of inundation and accumulation of organic matters and nutrients on the wetland soil development. There was a clear difference in soil texture between the natural wetland and the constructed ones, with the high sand content in the constructed wetlands as compared to the high clay content in the natural one. Gradual increases of silt and clay contents over time were observed in the constructed wetlands. The soil of the natural wetland was higher in water content and organic matter but lower in pH than those of the constructed wetlands. The pH of the constructed wetlands reached near neutral ranges after initial increase. CEC and nutrient concentrations of the constructed wetlands seemed to be affected mainly by outside inflows of organic matter and contaminants. Concentrations of organic matter and nutrients decreased over time in the experimental wetland where surface and deep soils with different characteristics were mixed during its construction, suggesting that changes in soil properties during wetland constructions may affect the development of wetland soils or wetland biogeochemistry. This study showed that changes in physicochemical properties of soils in constructed wetlands could be used to assess the success of constructed wetlands and their functions, and also the importance of reference wetlands for the appropriate assessment.