• Title/Summary/Keyword: Speleothems

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A Note on Biogenic Effects of Coralloid Speleothems in Round Mountain Lava Cave, Oregon, U.S.A.

  • Kashima, Naruhiko;Ogawa, Takanori
    • Journal of the speleological society of Korea
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    • v.9
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    • pp.3-7
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    • 1999
  • Corralloid speleothems from Round Mountain lave cave are are studied by scanning microscope and electron microprobe analyses. Scanning microscopy observation indicates that the diatom Melosira seems to contribute significantly to siliceous coralloid speleothems Electron microprobe confirms the presence of diatom and fragmental minerals(plagioclase and orthopyroxene) in coralloid speleothems. Chemical analysis of 3 diatom cells gives SiO2(74.8%), Al2O3(0.12%), FeO(0.11%), CaO(0.47%) and MgO(0.81%).

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Paleoclimatic Implication of Cave Speleothems in the Submerged Parts of the Seongnyu Cave, Republic of Korea (성류굴 내 호수구간의 수중통로에서 발견되는 동굴생성물의 고기후적 의미)

  • Kim, Ryeon;Woo, Kyung-Sik;Kim, Bong-Hyeon;Park, Jae-Suk;Park, Hun-Young;Jeong, Hee-Jeong;Lee, Jong-Hee
    • The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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    • v.24 no.1
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    • pp.11-24
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    • 2010
  • Seongnyu Cave have developed along the NE-SW direction in carbonate rocks of the Joseon Supergroup. The cave mostly shows horizontal passages and contains three lakes. The main passage is about 330 m long with 540 m-long branches, thus the total length of the cave is about 870 m. Through cave diving, about 85 m-long new passages were discovered. Numerous speleothems such as soda straws, stalactites, stalagmites, columns, flowstones, rimstones, cave shields, cave corals, curtains (and bacon sheets), cave pearls, cave flowers, helictites and calcite rafts can be found in the cave. Especially, some speleothems which were believed to have grown in the past were discovered in the submerged passage, and a few stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones and columns were eroded (or corroded) by the cave stream that flowed on the floor. Because these speleothems only grow in subaerial environments within limestone caves, it appears that they grew when there was no lake in the cave and became submerged as the lake level rose in the cave. The presence of these speleothems in the lakes indicate that they only grew during glacial periods when sea-level was lower. Therefore, detailed investigation of these speleothems will provide invaluable information on paleoclimatic evolution around the Korean peninsula in the future.

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양당리굴내 생성물의 분포 및 특성

  • 오종우
    • Proceedings of the Speleological Society Conference
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    • 2002.11a
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    • pp.19-30
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    • 2002
  • 카르스트 지형과 관련된 동굴생성물(Speleothems)의 발달과정은 [그림 1]에서 요약되어 있듯이 일정한 규칙의 발달과정을 거치면서 형성되는 동굴수문학적 (Speleo-hydology)인 속성을 가지고 있다(Ford, 1989). 동굴생성물은 주로 기반암으로부터 침식되는 용해물질에 의하여 다양한 생성물을 제공하거나 외부 하천의 유입에 따른 외래산 퇴적물질 등이 상호 교차되어 집적되어있다. (중략)

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Carbonate Biomineralization Using Speleothems and Sediments from Baekasan Acheon Cave (Limestone Cave) in Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do, South Korea (전남 화순군 백아산 아천동굴(석회동굴) 동굴생성물을 이용한 생광물화작용 연구)

  • Kim, Yumi;Seo, Hyunhee;Jo, Kyoung-nam;Jung, Dayae;Shin, Seungwon;Huh, Min;Roh, Yul
    • Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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    • v.31 no.2
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    • pp.113-121
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    • 2018
  • Baekasan Acheon cave located in Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do is a natural limestone cave only found in this province. In this study, the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of speleothems collected from Baekasan Acheon cave were identified and the capability of carbonate mineral formation by aerobic microorganisms enriched from the cave and the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of carbonate minerals formed by the microorganisms were investigated. The samples of sediments (clay) and speleothems (shelfstone and cave coral) were collected at three sites in the cave. The samples of shelfstone and cave coral were identified mainly as carbonate mineral, Mg-rich calcite, and clay minerals were composed of quartz, muscovite, and vermiculite by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. To cultivate the carbonate forming microorganisms, parts of the sediment and speleothems were placed in D-1 medium containing urea, respectively, and the growth of microorganisms was observed under the aerobic condition at room temperature. The capability of carbonate mineralization of the cultured Baekasan Acheon cave microorganisms was examined through adding 1% (v/v) of the cultured microorganisms and calcium sources, Ca-acetate or Ca-lactate, into the D-1 medium. XRD analysis showed that the microorganisms cultured in cave deposits formed calcium carbonate ($CaCO_3$) under all conditions, and these microbial carbonate minerals included calcite and vaterite. The morphological characteristics and chemical composition of biologically formed minerals were observed by SEM-EDS showed various crystal forms such as rhomboid, spherical, perforated surface with Ca, C, and O of major chemical components. The existence of such microorganisms in the cave can contribute the formation of carbonate minerals, and it is likely to affect the geochemical cycles of carbon and calcium in the cave.

Characteristics and Implications of Lava Tubes from Geophysical Exploration in Jeju Island (지구물리 탐사에 의해 발견된 제주도 용암동굴의 특징과 의미)

  • Jeon, Yongmun;Ki, Jin Seok;Koh, Su Yeon;Kim, Lyoun;Ryu, Choon Kil
    • The Journal of Engineering Geology
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    • v.25 no.4
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    • pp.473-484
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    • 2015
  • Geophysical exploration using electric resistivity, ground penetrating radar (GPR), and impedance high-frequency (ZHF) surveys was conducted in Gujwa-eup, Jeju City, Jeju Island, an island in the Korea Strait, to confirm the existence of new caves near known caves. The exploration revealed a number of anomaly zones, presumed to be caves; 27 sites at suitable locations and depth ranges were selected for drilling and further surveys. However, contrary to predictions, most of the anomaly zones were clinker layers or paleosols intercalated with lavas. Only five boreholes intersected caves. The clinker layers and paleosols were possibly detected as anomalies owing to their different physical properties from the other rocks. Two of the five cave-finding boreholes penetrated Yongcheon Cave; a new cave was found at the other. The two boreholes that penetrated Yongcheon Cave were drilled in areas where the cave has not been previously reported, and thus helped correct an error in the cave distribution map. The cave newly discovered in this boring exploration is 180 m long, and it is connected to the upstream part of Dangcheomul Cave (110 m). The cave contains well-developed lava helictites, lava levees, and ropy structures; carbonate speleothems such as soda straws, stalagmites, columns, and curtain shawls are also well preserved. Notably, the unique shape of the carbonate speleothems is attributed to their growth in relation to the cavern water that flowed into the cave along plant roots.

A Process Study on the Cave Deposits: Speleothems (동굴(洞窟) 퇴적물(堆積物)의 형성과정(形成過程)에 관한 연구(硏究))

  • Oh, Jong-Woo
    • Journal of the Speleological Society of Korea
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    • no.89
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    • pp.46-58
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    • 2008
  • 동굴 퇴적물의 형성과정은 1단계 기권 (Atmosphere): 빗방울 (H2O) 이 대기중에서 CO2의 혼합으로 산성비 (H2CO2)가 되어 석회암 (CaCO3)에 떨어져서 최초의 용식작용이 시작된다. 2단계 토양권 (Pedosphere): 산성비와 석회암성분이 합쳐 형성된 가용성 화합물 (Ca(HCO3)2)은 식생부식(植生腐植)에 의한 토양 (Humic acidic soils) 에 의해 기반암의 용식이 촉진 되어 지표에는 Karren과 석문 (석문(石門) Natural Bridge), 와지 (Dolines, Sinkholes) 지형을 형성시키고, 암석의 분순물은 지표에 남겨져서 결국 적색풍화토 (Residuum, Risidual Redish Soils) 를 만든다. 3단계 암권 (Lithosphere): 용식작용에 의해 지상에서 지하 로 확대되어진 모암의 균열을 타고, 지하의 공간이 지하수의 유입과 유출에 의해 점차 확대되어 동공형의 Conduites; Voids; Shaft 이라는 특수지형을 형성시키고,동굴의 천정으로부터 나온 Ca(HCO3)2 는 탄산염의 지속적인 분해 공급에 의해 동굴내에는 종류석, 석순, 유착석 (Speleothem)등의 새로운 동굴지형 (Speleoscape)을 조성하게 된다. 4단계 수권 (Hydrosphere): 동굴의 형성작용을 거친 물은 동굴지하수로 잔여 Calcite를 함유한 채로 유출 (Spring) 된다. 동굴을 떠난 잔여 Calcite는 또다시 하천유역에 침전시켜서 석회화 단구형의 집적지형 (Tufa Formation: Tufa Dam, Tufa Flowstone)을 최종적으로 동굴을 나와 외벽 이나 하천의 바닦에 형성하는 과정을 거치면서 카르스트 지형의 발달과정이 1차적인 순환을 마치게 된다.

Yellow-colored mats in Jeju Island lava tubes

  • Kim, Jong-Shik;Kim, Dae-Shin;Lee, Keun Chul;Kim, Yong-Hwan;Ahn, Ung-San;Lee, Mi-Kyung;Lee, Jung-Sook
    • Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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    • v.36 no.4
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    • pp.1338-1348
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    • 2019
  • The Geomunoreum Lava Tube System, declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has a unique natural ecosystem. The information available about this ecosystem, which contains lava caves with secondary carbonate speleothems, is sparse. Hence, extensive research is warranted for establishing a conservation standard. We commenced microbial research on the system and have been studying the microorganisms coating the lava tube wall to acquire fundamental information for understanding the lava cave ecology of Jeju Island. Samples were collected from yellow-colored walls in six caves that are part of the system-the Bengdwi, Utsanjeon, Bukoreum, Manjang, Gimnyeong, and Yongcheon caves. This study focused on yellow walls as it is the most easily distinguished color. According to previous studies, the color of cave walls is attributed to microorganisms or their components. To determine whether the yellow mats from the Jeju lava tube walls are caused by microorganisms, we examined samples at the microscopic scale, by staining mats and analyzing bacterial isolates from glitter particles. As a result, we found that the yellow walls of lava tubes are comprised of microbial mats.