• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.291-300
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• 2016

Background: It is necessary to assess radiation dose to workers due to inhalation of airborne particulates containing naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) to ensure radiological safety required by the Natural Radiation Safety Management Act. The objective of this study is to develop an internal dose assessment procedure for workers at industries using raw materials containing natural radionuclides. Materials and Methods: The dose assessment procedure was developed based on harmonization, accuracy, and proportionality. The procedure includes determination of dose assessment necessity, preliminary dose estimation, airborne particulate sampling and characterization, and detailed assessment of radiation dose. Results and Discussion: The developed dose assessment procedure is as follows. Radioactivity concentration criteria to determine dose assessment necessity are $10Bq{\cdot}g^{-1}$ for $^{40}K$ and $1Bq{\cdot}g^{-1}$ for the other natural radionuclides. The preliminary dose estimation is performed using annual limit on intake (ALI). The estimated doses are classified into 3 groups ( < 0.1 mSv, 0.1-0.3 mSv, and > 0.3 mSv). Air sampling methods are determined based on the dose estimates. Detailed dose assessment is performed using air sampling and particulate characterization. The final dose results are classified into 4 different levels ( < 0.1 mSv, 0.1-0.3 mSv, 0.3-1 mSv, and > 1 mSv). Proper radiation protection measures are suggested according to the dose level. The developed dose assessment procedure was applied for NORM industries in Korea, including coal combustion, phosphate processing, and monazite handing facilities. Conclusion: The developed procedure provides consistent dose assessment results and contributes to the establishment of optimization of radiological protection in NORM industries.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.289-302
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• 2007

Separation process of heavy minerals was performed with sand from Dunjang beach of Jaeundo, Shinangun, Chonnam, and the feasibility study separating heavy minerals was carried out, and their properties were studied. Samples were selected in three parts, which were upper part, middle part and lower part, with depth. Samples of heavy mineral groups separated with the spiral separator were chosen as starting materials, and they were separated with 3 times of table separation. Heavy minerals presenting in this area were ilmenite, zircon, rutile, anatase, monazite, and xenotime. In the results of 3 times of table separation, minor content of quartz, orthoclase, albite and muscovite were existed as gangue minerals. Accordingly, we concluded that additional specific gravity separation was needed. In the results of separation of heavy minerals by hand picking, it was confirmed that heavy minerals had various genesis because of their various roundness and color.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.599-622
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• 2012

The phase I soil geochemical exploration was carried out targeting around Chau Binh area far from about 14 km with southeastern direction from Quy Chau within Nghe An province. The interval of sampling are horizontal 300 m with 14 line and longitudinal 500 m with 15 line, resulting in 194 soil samples. Based on the result of the phase I soil geochemical exploration, the phase II detailed pitting survey was carried out targeting the grid point with high TREO content, resulting in 56 soil samples within 7 pits. The geology of survey area are consisted of Ban Chieng biotite granite complex and Dai Loc gneissic granite complex intruding Bu Khang formation comprising of schist, gneiss and limestone. Main mineralization in the study area have the characteristics of occurrence with tin, ruby and REE-bearing monazite(about 300 g/t) and xenotime(about 10 g/t) to be thought as occurring at the alteration zone of granite complex. In order to elucidate the source rock of monazite and xenotime confirmed from heavy sand, soil geochemical exploration was carried out. As a analysis result with ICP-MS on the soil samples from the phase I soil geochemical exploration, total REE oxide content of background amount to about 2 times of crustal abundance, enriching the heavy rare earth(about 2 times) and light rare earth(about 1.84 times). As a analysis result with ICP-MS on the soil samples from the phase II soil detailed pit survey, we identified outcrop considering as economic ore body at the grid point 4-7 pit with N40W attitude. As a synthetic consideration on the phase I soil geochemical exploration and phase II detailed pit survey, we tentatively designated areas considering as the extension of economic ore body with REE anomaly. In the near future, we have the plan to carry out the geophysical exploration and test drilling targeting the interval anticipated to the economic ore body.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.147-168
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• 2014

The soil geochemical exploration was carried out targeting around Tri Le area far from about 30 km with northwestern direction from Que Phong within Nghe An province. The interval of sampling are horizontal 200 m interval with 23 line and longitudinal 300 m with 10 line, resulting in 228 soil samples. Based on the result of the soil geochemical exploration, the detailed pitting survey was carried out targeting the grid point with high TREO content, resulting in 75 soil samples within 7 pits. The geology of survey area are consisted of Ban Chieng biotite granite complex and granitic gneiss intruding Ban Khang formation comprising of quartz schist and marble. Main mineralization in the study area have the characteristics of occurrence with tin, ruby and REE-bearing monazite and xenotime to be thought as occurring at the alteration zone of granite complex. In order to elucidate the source rock of monazite and xenotime confirmed from heavy sand, soil geochemical exploration was carried out. As a analysis result with ICP-MS on the soil samples from the soil geochemical exploration, total REE oxide content of background amount to about 2 times of crustal abundance, enriching the heavy rare earth(about 2 times) and light rare earth(about 1.5 times). As a analysis result with ICP-MS on the soil samples from the soil detailed pit survey, we only identified outcrop considering as economic weathered granite body at the grid point 1-10 pit among 7 pits. As a synthetic consideration on the soil geochemical exploration and detailed pit survey, we tentatively designated Tri Le area as no promising target for REE. In 2014, we have the plan to carry out the soil geochemical exploration targeting the extended economic REE ore body in Quy Chau as project area from 2011 to 2012.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.179-198
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• 2013

The Boziguoer A-type granitoids in Baicheng County, Xinjiang, belong to the northern margin of the Tarim platform as well as the neighboring EW-oriented alkaline intrusive rocks. The rocks comprise an aegirine or arfvedsonite quartz alkali feldspar syenite, an aegirine or arfvedsonite alkali feldspar granite, and a biotite alkali feldspar syenite. The major rock-forming minerals are albite, K-feldspar, quartz, arfvedsonite, aegirine, and siderophyllite. The accessory minerals are mainly zircon, pyrochlore, thorite, fluorite, monazite, bastnaesite, xenotime, and astrophyllite. The chemical composition of the alkaline granitoids show that $SiO_2$ varies from 64.55% to 72.29% with a mean value of 67.32%, $Na_2O+K_2O$ is high (9.85~11.87%) with a mean of 11.14%, $K_2O$ is 2.39%~5.47% (mean = 4.73%), the $K_2O/Na_2O$ ratios are 0.31~0.96, $Al_2O_3$ ranges from 12.58% to 15.44%, and total $FeO^T$ is between 2.35% and 5.65%. CaO, MgO, MnO, and $TiO_2$ are low. The REE content is high and the total ${\sum}REE$ is $(263{\sim}1219){\times}10^{-6}$ (mean = $776{\times}10^{-6}$), showing LREE enrichment HREE depletion with strong negative Eu anomalies. In addition, the chondrite-normalized REE patterns of the alkaline granitoids belong to the "seagull" pattern of the right-type. The Zr content is $(113{\sim}1246){\times}10^{-6}$ (mean = $594{\times}10^{-6}$), Zr+Nb+Ce+Y is between $(478{\sim}2203){\times}10^{-6}$ with a mean of $1362{\times}10^{-6}$. Furthermore, the alkaline granitoids have high HFSE (Ga, Nb, Ta, Zr, and Hf) content and low LILE (Ba, K, and Sr) content. The Nb/Ta ratio varies from 7.23 to 32.59 (mean = 16.59) and the Zr/Hf ratio is 16.69~58.04 (mean = 36.80). The zircons are depleted in LREE and enriched in HREE. The chondrite-normalized REE patterns of the zircons are of the "seagull" pattern of the left-inclined type with strong negative Eu anomaly and without a Ce anomaly. The Boziguoer A-type granitoids share similar features with A1-type granites. The average temperature of the granitic magma was estimated at $832{\sim}839^{\circ}C$. The Boziguoer A-type granitoids show crust-mantle mixing and may have formed in an anorogenic intraplate tectonic setting under high-temperature, anhydrous, and low oxygen fugacity conditions.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.14-23
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• 1999

The northeastern part of the Gyeongsang Basin is widely covered by the Cretaceous Hayang Group (Aptian to Albian). The Hayang Group consists of the IIjig. Hupyeongdong, Jeomgog, and Sagog formations. Heavy mineral analysis was carried out to define the possible source rocks of the Haynag Group snadstones. Heavy minerals separated from IIjig, Hupyeongdong, and Jeomgog sandstones are hematite, ilmenite, leucoxene, magnetite, pyrite, actinolite, andalusite, apatite, biotite, chlorite, epidote, garnet, hornblende, kyanite, monazite, muscovite, rutile, sphene, spinel, staurolite, tourmaline, and zircon. Based on their close association and sensitiveness, the heavy mineral assemblages can be classified into 6 syutes: 1)apatite-green tourmaline-sphene-colorless/yellowish zircon; 2) colorless garnet-epidote-rutile-brown tourmaline; 3) rounded purple zircon-rounded tourmaline-rounded rutile; 4) augite-hornblende-color- less zircon; 5) epidote-garnet-sphene; and 6) blue tourmaline. The possible source rocks corresponding to each assemblage are 1) granitic rocks; 2) metamorphic rocks (schist and gneiss) ; 3) older sedimentary rocks; 4) andesitic rocks; 5) metamorphosed impure limestone; and 6) pegmatite, respectively. Previous paleocurrent data suggest that the sediments of the study area were mainly derived from the northeastern to southeastern directions. Thus, the most possible source areas would be the east extension part of the sobaegsan metamorphic complex to the northeast and the Cheongsong Ridge to the southeast.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.98-110
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• 1998

Hongcheon magnetite deposit is embedded, as a lens shape, in biotite banded gneiss belonging to the Gyeonggi metamorphic complex. It gradationally changes to the host quartz-feldspathic banded gneiss in the mineral composition. Magnetite ore bodies are composed of magnetite ores and magnetite banded gneiss which gradationally change each other in the amount of magnetite. They consist mainly of magnetite, quartz, plagioclase and chlorite accompanied with amphibole, biotite, muscovite, monazite, apatite, ankerite, siderite, rhodochrositic dolomite, calcite and rutile. Amphibole is subdivided into hornblende, richterite and magnesio-riebekite in magnetite ores, and magnesio-, ferro- or actinolitic hornblende in magnetite banded gneiss. The variation in chemical composition may be influenced by bulk composition and controlled mainly by glaucophane $Na(M4)Al_3^{VI}=CaMg$ and richterite Na(M4)Na(A)=Ca substitutions. Biotite in magnetite banded gneiss has an annite composition. Chlorite changes in chemical composition from pycnochlorite to diabantite in magnetite ores and belongs to pycnochlorite in magnetite banded gneiss. The mafic minerals and feldspar have been strongly altered by carbonate minerals which are secondarily formed by introduced hydrothermal solution. Fe-bearing carbonate minerals can be subdivided into ankerite, siderite and rhodochrositic dolomite according to the ratio of Fe-Mg-Mn component.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.313-319
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• 2019

The A-KRS (Advanced Korean Reference Disposal System) is the disposal concept for pyroprocessed waste, which has been developed by the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute. In this disposal concept, the amount of high-level radioactive waste is minimized using pyrochemical process, called pyroprocessing. The produced pyroprocessed waste is then solidified in the form of monazite ceramic. The final product of ceramic wastes will be disposed of in a deep geological repository. By the way, the decay heat is generated due to the radioactive decay of fission products and raises the temperature of buffer materials in the near field of radioactive waste repository. However, the buffer temperature must be kept below $100^{\circ}C$ according to the safety regulation. Usually, the temperature can be controlled by variation of the canister interdistance. However, KAERI has modelled thermal analysis under the boundary condition, where the waste canisters are in direct contact with each other. Therefore, a reliable temperature analysis in the disposal system may fail because of unknown thermal resistence values caused by the spatial gap between waste canisters. In the present work, we have performed thermal analyses considering the gap between heating elements and canisters at the beginning of canister loading into the radioactive waste repository. All thermal analyses were performed using the COMSOL software package.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.199-214
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• 2022

The Yeongnam Massif is one of representative basement provinces in the Korean Peninsula, which has experienced high-temperature, low-pressure (HTLP) regional metamorphism and partial melting. Here we reviewed recent developments in Paleoproterozoic (1.87-1.84 Ga) hot orogenesis of the Yeongnam Massif, typified by the granulite-facies metamorphism and partial melting recorded in the HTLP rocks. In particular, spatiotemporal linkage between the metamorphic and magmatic activities, including the Sancheong-Hadong anorthositic magma as a heat source, provides a key to understand the widespread HTLP metamorphism and partial melting in the Yeongnam Massif. Crustal anatexis, resulting from the fluid-present melting and muscovite/biotite dehydration melting, has yielded various types of leucosomes and leucogranites. Zircon and monazite petrochronology, using in-situ U(-Th)-Pb data from the secondary ion mass spectrometry, indicates that the HTLP metamorphism and anatexis lasted over a period of ~15 Ma at ca. 1870-1854 Ma. In addition, a fluid influx event at ca. 1840 Ma was locally recognized by the occurrence of incipient charnockite. Taken together, the Yeongnam Massif preserves a prolonged evolutionary record of the HTLP metamorphism, partial melting, and fluid influx diagnostic for a hot orogen. Such an orogen is linked to the Paleoproterozoic orogeny widespread in the North China Craton, and most likely represents the final phase of crustal evolution in the Columbia/Nuna supercontinent.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.171-186
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• 2013

A drilling project was undertaken to characterize the geochemical relationship and the occurrence of radioactive materials at a test site among public-use groundwaters previously known to have high occurrence of uranium and radon-222 in the Daejeon area. A borehole (121 m deep) was drilled and core rocks mainly consist of two-mica granite, and associated with pegmatite and dykes of intermediate composition. The groundwater samples collected at six different depths in the borehole by a double-packed system showed the pH values ranging from neutral to alkaline (7.10-9.3), and electrical conductivity ranging from 263 to 443 ${\mu}S/cm$. The chemical composition of the borehole groundwaters was of the $Ca-HCO_3(SO_4+Cl)$ type. The uranium and Rn-222 contents in the groundwater were 109-1,020 ppb and 9,190-32,800 pCi/L, respectively. These levels exceed the regulation guidelines of US EPA. The zone of the highest groundwater uranium content occurred at depths of 45 to 55m. The groundwater chemistry in this zone (alkaline, oxidated, and high in bicarbonate) is favorable for the dissolution of uranium into groundwater. The dominant uranium complex in groundwater is likely to be $(UO_2CO_3)^0$ or $(UO_2HCO_3)^+$. Radon-222 content in groundwater shows an increasing trend with depth. The uranium and thorium contents in the core were 0.372-47.42 ppm and 0.388-11.22 ppm, respectively. These levels are higher values than those previously been reported in Korea. Microscopic observations and electron microprobe analysis(EPMA) revealed that the minerals containing U and Th are monazite, apatite, epidote, and feldspar. U and Th in these minerals are likely to substitute for major elements in crystal lattice.