• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.293-304
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• 2013

Because the present groundwater law broadly regulates a simple and impractical guideline ignoring aquifer characters and geology, general purpose facilities for protection of groundwater contamination is still considered unsatisfactory to ensure groundwater resources. In recent, there have been growing attempts in the packer development as crucial techniques and devices for groundwater protection. This study investigated the application of packer grouting techniques to contaminated groundwaters of two well sites in the Andong and Yeongi areas, both of which revealed a satisfactory effect with improved water quality: 94% decrease in turbidity at the Andong area and 60% decrease in $NO_3$-N, respectively. Based on aquifer characters including geology, weathering depth, fracture pattern, hydraulic gradient, and the flow path of contaminants, the integrated properties of groundwater contamination should be evaluated and treated with the help of accurate analyses such as bore hole imaging and monitoring data. Packer grouting and casing on well to ensure the useful aquifer free of contaminant are expected to play important role in inhibiting the inflow of contaminants when adequately applied. Therefore it is concluded that these can serve as reliable tools in remediation and protection of contaminated groundwater as well as efficient utilization of groundwater.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2017

The rock-carved seated Buddha of Unju temple of Hwasun, Jeonnam, the only Triad Buddha among the stone Buddhas of Unju temple, is currently designated as a tangible cultural property No. 275 of Jeollanam-do. The rock of the seated Triad Buddha bedrock is light-green andesitic tuff breccia that is composed of quartz and feldspar. The results of measurement of the whole rock magnetic susceptibility characteristics, the rock consists of a single sedimentary layer from top to bottom. The results of ultrasonic velocity measurement, show that the number of frequency of 1500~2000 m/s increased and the number of frequency of 2000~2500 m/s decreased in 2009 compared to 2015, and the measurement value for 2000 m/s or below was 87.5% in 2015, a 68.8% increase in comparison to that in 2009. Moreover, on the top, bottom, left side, and head areas of the Triad Buddha, a partial expanding tendency was observed in the range of low ultrasonic velocity. As weathering of the Triad Buddha occurs in the long term, on-going monitoring is required to ascertain the degree of change with time.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2019

Earthquake can change underground stress condition around the hypocenter and affect the fracture systems of the rocks. In Korea, the M5.8 Gyeongju earthquake on September 12, 2016 and M5.4 Pohang earthquake on November 15, 2017 occurred inside the Yangsan fault zone and possibly affected the fracture systems in the Yangsan fault zone and nearby rock masses. In this study, the characteristics of the fracture system (fracture orientation, number of the fractures, fracture spacing and aperture, dip angle, fracture density along depth, and relative rock strength) of the rocks in the low/intermediate level radioactive waste repository site located in the coastal area of the East Sea are analyzed by the impact of the Gyeongju and Pohang earthquakes using acoustic televiewer data taken from the boreholes at the radioactive waste repository site in 2005 and 2018. As a result of acoustic televiewer logging analysis, the fracture numbers, fracture aperture, and fracture density along depth overall increased in 2018 comparing to those in 2005. This increase tendency may be due to changes in the fracture system due to the impact of the earthquakes, or due to weathering of the wall of the boreholes for a long period longer than 10 years after the installation of the boreholes in 2005. In the borehole KB-14, on the whole, the orientation of the fractures and the average fracture spacing are slightly different between 2005 and 2018, while dip angle and relative rock strength in 2005 and 2018 are similar each other.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.112 no.3
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• pp.382-392
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• 2023

Recent reports have indicated a rapid increase in the frequency of sediment disasters due to climate change and other changes in the geological environment. Given this alarming situation and the recent increase in the frequency of land creep in Korea, systematic and efficient recovery and management of land creep areas is essential. The purpose of this study is to identify disaster vulnerability by conducting a physical exploration of land creep in San 4-1, Jayeon-ri, Gaegun-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, and examine stability by identifying the overall geological structure of the affected ground. In addition, drilling surveys are conducted to verify the reliability of the measured data. The results of the study reveal that low specific resistance abnormalities are distributed in the upper part of the soil layer and weathering zone and that this section is a 50-120 m exploration line. It is also confirmed to be a low-hardness ground area where tensile cracks are observed. Therefore, there is a need for research focused on developing measures to reduce economic and social damage within the domestic context by continuously monitoring indicators of land creep and identifying land creep risks.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.717-726
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• 2022

This study was conducted to assess the geochemical contamination degree of As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb, and Zn in the soil and water samples from an abandoned gold mine. Enrichment Factor (EF), Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), and Pollution Load Index (PLI) were carried out to assess the geochemical contamination degree of the soil samples. Variations of sulfate and heavy metals concentration in water samples were determined to identify the geochemical distribution with respect to the distance from the mine tailing dam. Geochemical pollution indices indicated significant contaminated with As, Cd, Pb, and Zn in the soil samples that areas close to the mine tailing dam, while, Sb showed similar indices in all soil samples. These results indicated that the As, Cd, Pb, and Zn dispersion has occurred via anthropogenic sources, such as mining activities. In terms of water samples, anomalies in the concentrations of As, Cd, Zn, and SO₄^2- was determined at specific area, in addition, the concentrations of the elements gradually decreased with distance. This result implies the heavy metals distribution in water has carried out by the weathering of sulfide minerals in the mine tailing and soil. The study area has been conducted the remediation of contaminated soil in the past, however, the geochemical dispersion of heavy metals was supposed to be occurred from the potential contamination source. Therefore, continuous monitoring of the soil and water is necessary after the completion of remediation.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.41-53
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• 2012

During rainfall period, to identify the characteristics of the infiltration of moisture, electrical resistivity monitering survey was carried out to weathered zone. Four regions of geophysical exploration areas with different rock types, four regions were selected. An area consists of mafic granite and three areas are composed of sedimentary rocks (Sandstone, Shale, Unconsolidated Mudstone). Survey was conducted from June (rainy season) to November (dry season), and during the period the change in resistivity was observed. According to the result of monitoring exploration on Geumjeong and Jinju areas, for the estimation of the standard rainfall, it is necessary to estimate the effects of the antecedent rainfall during the rainy season based on the overall rainfall from June till October and also necessary to consider this for the estimation of the half period. Also, the vertical distribution of the low resistivity anomaly zone does not show that the infiltration of moisture does not occur uniformly from the surface of the ground to the lower ground but shows that it occurs along the relaxed gap of the crack or soil stratum of the weathering zone. In Pohang area, the type of moisture infiltration is different from that of the granite or sedimentary rock. Since, after the rainfall, the rate of infiltration to the lower ground is high and the period of cultivation to the lower bedrock aquifer is short, it has similar effect to that of the antecedent rainfall applied for the estimation of the standard rainfall being presently used. In Danyang, due to the degree of water content of the ground, the duration period of the low resistivity anomaly zone observed in the lower ground of the place where clastic sedimentary rock is distributed is similar to that in Pohang area. The degree of lateral water diffusion at the time of localized heavy rain is the same as that of the sedimentary rock in Jinju. According to the above analysis results, in Danyang area, the period when the antecedent rainfall has its influence is estimated as three weeks or so.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.38 no.6 s.175
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• pp.675-687
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• 2005

The rocks of the five storied stone pagoda in the Jeongrimsaji temple site are 149 materials in total with porphyritic biotite granodiorite. They include pegmatite veinlet, basic xenolith and evenly developed plagioclase porphyry. This stone pagoda has comparably small fracture and cracks which are farmed in the times of rock properties, but surface exfoliation and granular decomposition are in process actively since the rocks are generally weakened from the influence of air contaminants and acid rain. Structural instability of constituting rocks in the 4th roof materials are observed to occur from distortion and tilt. Such instability is judged to threat stability of the upper part of the stone pagoda. Also, chemical weathering is operating even more as the contaminants, ferro-manganese hydroxides eluted from water-rock interaction on the rock surface. Most of the rock surface is covered with yellowish brown, dark black and light gray contaminants, and especially occur in the lower part of the roof rocks on each floor. The roof underpinning rocks are severe in surface pigmentation from manganese hydroxides and light gray contaminants. The surface of rocks lives bacteria. algae, lichen, or moss and diverse productions in colors of light gray, dark Bray and dark green. Grayish white crustose lichen grows thick on the surface with darkly discolored by fungi and algae in the first stage on basement rocks, and weeds grows wild on the upper part of each roof rocks. This stone pagoda must closely observe the movements of the upper part rock materials through minute safety diagnosis and long term monitoring for structural stability. Especially since the surface discoloration of rocks and pigmentation of secondary contaminants are severe, establishment of general restoration and scientific conservation treatment are necessary through more detailed study for this stone pagoda.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.38 no.5 s.174
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• pp.547-561
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• 2005

General characteristics of groundwater contamination by As were reviewed with several recent researches, and its occurrence in groundwater of Korea was investigated based on a ffw previous studies and a groundwater quality survey in Nonsan and Geumsan areas. In Bangladesh, which has been known as the most serious arsenic calamity country, about $28\%$ of the shallow groundwaters exceeded the Bangladesh drinking water standard, $50{\mu}g/L$, and it was estimated that about 28 million people were exposed to concentrations greater than the standard. Groundwater was characterized by circum-neutral pH with a moderate to strong reducing conditions. Low concentrations of $SO_4^{2-}$ and $NO_3^-$, and high contents of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and $NH_4^+$ were typical chemical characteristics. Total As concentrations were enriched in the Holocene alluvial aquifers with a dominance of As(III) species. It was generally agreed that reductive dissolution of Fe oxyhydroxides was the main mechanism for the release of As into groundwater coupling with the presence of organic matters and microbial activities as principal factors. A new model has also been suggested to explain how arsenic can naturally contaminate groundwaters far from the ultimate source with transport of As by active tectonic uplift and glaciatiion during Pleistocene, chemical weathering and deposition, and microbial reaction processes. In Korea, it has not been reported to be so serious As contamination, and from the national groundwater quality monitoring survey, only about $1\%$ of grounwaters have concentrations higher than $10{\mu}g/:L.$ However, it was revealed that $19.3\%$ of mineral waters, and $7\%$ of tube-well waters from Nonsan and Geumsan areas contained As concentrations above $10{\mu}g/:L.$. Also, percentages exceeding this value during detailed groundwater quality surveys were $36\%\;and\;22\%$ from Jeonnam and Ulsan areas, respectively, indicating As enrichment possibly by geological factors and local mineralization. Further systematic researches need to proceed in areas potential to As contamination such as mineralized, metasedimentary rock-based, alluvial, and acid sulfate soil areas. Prior to that, it is required to understand various geochemical and microbial processes, and groundwater flow characteristics affecting the behavior of As.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.74-93
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• 2019

The Bird Track Site in the Haman Formation in Yongsanri (Natural Monument No. 222) was reported on the named Koreanaornis hamanensis and Jindongornipes kimi sauropod footprint Brontopodus and ichnospecies Ochlichnus formed by Nematoda. This site has outstanding academic value because it is where the second-highest number of bird tracks have been reported in the world. However, only 25% of the site remains after being designated a natural monument in 1969. This is due to artificial damage caused by worldwide fame and quarrying for flat stone used in Korean floor heating systems. The Haman Formation, including this fossil site, has lithofacies showing reddish-grey siltstone and black shale, alternately. The boundary of the two rocks is progressive, and sedimentary structures like ripple marks and sun cracks can clearly be found. This site was divided into seven formations according to sedimentary sequences and structures. The results of a nondestructive deterioration evaluation showed that chemical and biological damage rates were very low for all formations. Also, physical damage displayed low rates with 0.49% on exfoliation, 0.04% on blistering, 0.28% on break-out; however, the joint crack index was high, 6.20. Additionally, efflorescence was observed on outcrops at the backside and the northwestern side. Physical properties measured by an indirect ultrasonic analysis were found to be moderately weathered (MW). Above all, the southeastern side was much fresher, though some areas around the column of protection facility appeared more weathered. Furthermore, five kinds of discontinuity surface can be found at this site, with the bedding plane showing the higher share. There is the possibility of toppling failure occurring at this site but stable on plane and wedge failure by means of stereographic projection. We concluded that the overall level of deterioration and stability were relatively fine. However, continuous monitoring and conservation treatment and management should be performed as situations such as the physicochemical weathering of the fossil layer, and the efflorescence of the mortar adjoining the protection facility's column appear to be challenging to control.