• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.12
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• pp.4527-4542
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• 2023

The present microbial reinforcement of rock and soil exhibits limitations, such as uneven reinforcement effectiveness and low calcium carbonate generation rate, resulting in limited solidification strength. This study introduces electroosmosis as a standard microbial grouting reinforcement technique and investigates its solidification effects on microbial-reinforced uranium tailings. The most effective electroosmosis effect on uranium tailings occurs under a potential gradient of 1.25 V/cm. The findings indicate that a weak electric field can effectively promote microbial growth and biological activity and accelerate bacterial metabolism. The largest calcium carbonate production occurred under the gradient of 0.5 V/cm, featuring a good crystal combination and the best cementation effect. Staged electroosmosis and electrode conversion efficiently drive the migration of anions and cations. Under electroosmosis, the cohesion of uranium tailings reinforced by microorganisms increased by 37.3% and 64.8% compared to those reinforced by common microorganisms and undisturbed uranium tailings, respectively. The internal friction angle is also improved, significantly enhancing the uniformity of reinforcement and a denser and stronger microscopic structure. This research demonstrates that MICP technology enhances the solidification effects and uniformity of uranium tailings, providing a novel approach to maintaining the safety and stability of uranium tailings dams.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.90-102
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• 2002

The studied Fe-REE ore consists of magnetite, ankerite, siderite, magnesite and strontianite as the major constituent, and monazite, columbite, fergusonite, apatite, aegirine-augite, Na-amphibole, pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, molybdenite and barite as accessaries. Wall rock of ore deposits is replaced to fenite due to Na-metasomatism and mainly consists of sugary albite and Na-amphibole. Monazite $Ce_{0.49}La_{0.31}Pr_{0.14}Nd_{0.03}Gd_{0.03})PO_4$ is the main mineral for REE deposit and shows myrmekitic intergrowth with strontianite $Ca_{0.02-0.16}Sr_{0.84-0.98}CO_3$ and is corroded by carbonate minerals. Mineral forming sequence can be divided into early and late periods by the development of microfractures. The early period minerals such as magnetite, ankerite, magnesite, monazite and apatite show well developed networks of microfractures due to cataclastic deformation caused by enriched $CO_2$ gas in melts during emplacement. The late minerals of columbite, fergusonite, siderite molybdenite, chalcopyrite and sphalerite formed after the brecciation event and have little micro-fractures. Ankerite, magnesite, monazite, strontianite, barite and pyrite seem to be formed continuously from the ealy to the late period since they show textures both with well developed fractures and also with little fractures. Mineral chemistry, mineral assemblages such as various carbonate minerals, magnetite, REE minerals of monazite and fergusonite, Sr mineral of strontianite, and Nb minerals of columbite, myrmekitic texture of monazite and ankerite, and well developed fenite along ore deposits observed from this studied area strongly indicate that this Hongcheon Fe-REE ore deposits are formed from carbonatitic melt and its rock type is late differentiated Fe-carbonatite or ankerite-carbonatite.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.85-100
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• 2010

Devonian Cairn Formation is one of the important hydrocarbon reservoirs in Alberta, Canada. However, the Cairn Formation, outcropped in the study area, is not prospective reservoir with poor porosity and permeability by some late diagenetic processes. In this study, geochemical characteristics of the Cairn Formation were studied to use these preliminary results for advanced geological and geophysical petroleum explorations in the near future. Rock-Eval pyrolysis showed that total organic carbon content is less than 0.3 wt.%, indicating a minor amount of bitumen and/or other hydrocarbons. The carbonates in the Cairn Formation are mainly composed of subhedral and anhedral dolomites. Pore sizes in the carbonate are various, ranging from nanometer to micrometer. Clastic sediments increase in the upper and lower parts of the Cairn Formation, probably due to changing its depositional conditions. The Cairn Formation can also be divided into several intervals based on Ca/Mg ratio in dolomite and degree of amount of calcite. These could be formed by different sedimentary environment, degree of cementation and recrystallization, different saline/fresh water, etc.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.372-386
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• 2018

The air quality near the backfilled site area is significantly deteriorated during and even after the curing period of the backfill materials. Hazardous gases such as NH3 and CO2 may leak out prolongedly from the mined-out sites backfilled with the composite carbonate-based material; leakage can be observed at the underground working sites as well as on the surface. At operating mines, underground gas leakage will severely aggravate the workplace environment. The ventilation schemes should supply sufficient air to dilute the contaminated air, and control the toxic gas leakage and dispersion. This study shows the applicability of pressurization ventilation system to control gas leakage and dispersion at the backfilled underground mine site.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.205-213
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• 2010

A hydrochemical comparative study of groundwater in uraniferous sedimentary rock of the Ogcheon belt was carried out to investigate the genetic relationship between uraniferous groundwater of Daejeon area and uraniferous sedimentary rocks of the Ogcheon zone. The groundwater shows weak alkaline pH values rangingfrom 6.4 to 8.1 and low Eh values ranging from -50 to 225 mV. The groundwaters to Ca-$HCO_3$ type that shows high concentration of $Ca^{2+}$ and $HCO_3^_$ due to the dissolution of carbonate mineral in limestone. The concentration of uranium in the groundwater was measured very low below $3.2{\mu}g/L$, while it was detected as much as $1165{\mu}g/L$ in the mine waste water. The low Eh value of groundwater is one of the main causes of low uranium concentration of groundwater in uraniferous sedimentary rocks in the Ogcheon belt. It is suggested that the uranium of groundwater in granitic region of Daejeon area was not mainly provided from uraniferous sedimentary rocks in the Ogcheon belt.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.235-245
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• 1998

Adquate friction resistance is needed to prevent pavement slipperiness and to allow vehicles to stop in a reasonable distance. Performance of the aggregates is reduced over time by wear and polishing as a consequence of vehicular traffic. In this research, the objective was to develop a laboratory method to test Indiana gravel aggregates to predict field performance, and determine causes for the range of values amang gravel aggregates. The assessment of gravel sources was primarily on the basis of individual rock types and those proportions comprising the gravel. Polish and friction values were determined in the laboratory with the British Wheel and Pendulum. The gravels of this study were composed primarily of carbonate aggregates that showed considerable variability in polishing thresholds. Igneous and metamorphic constituents polished to a lesser degree and are expected to improve overall aggregate performance. Estimates of the IFV (Initial Friction Value) and PV (Polished Value) for crushed gravel samples can be made based on the percentage of rock types present in the sample. A weighted average is used to make this calculation.

• Magazine of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.183-193
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• 1998

This study was designed, firstly, to determine the mineralogical and chemical characteristics of some rock aggregates, secondly, to offer interrelationships between those and mechanical properties, and thirdly, to evaluate their suitability for concrete aggregates. Mineralogical, chemical, physical and mechanical characteristics of the studied rock aggregates indicate that granite from BJ quarry and banded gneisses from KB. HI and SK quarry, and quartzite from the Hongcheon riverside are not proper to cement concrete aggregates because of quartz's potential possibility of alkali-silica reaction, and limestone in SY quarry is proper to asphalt concrete aggregates owing to dolomite causing alkali-carbonate reaction. Augen gneiss and diorite from KB and SA quarry, respectively, are to be not suitable for concrete aggregates because of biotite contents, but augen gneiss in HI quarry and gneisses in Hongcheon riverside are proper to concrete aggregates because of mineralogical and mechanical characteristics.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.56-68
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• 2013

Community drinking water (CDW), mostly naturally flowing groundwater, plays important roles in supplying drinking water for urban and rural residents in Korea. Over 1,600 CDW facilities are distributed throughout the country, many of them situated in the outskirts of metropolitan cities. A large proportion of Korean people have become dependent on CDW for drinking due to a distrust of piped water's quality and a strong belief in the special medicinal effects of some CDWs. However, administrative and official management and the control of CDW facilities have been inadequate when compared with the strict examination and control of commercial bottled water, which is physically treated groundwater from deep bedrock aquifers. In this study, even though signs of anthropogenic contamination were not generally found, the tested chemical compositions of selected CDWs featured high enrichment of some constituents including Ca, Mg, Na, and HCO3 with natural origins such as water-rock interactions. Careless consumption of particular CDWs, which has no scientific basis, will not guarantee health improvement. Consequently, more intensive management of CDW facilities and a long-term interdisciplinary examination of the health effects of CDWs are needed to effectively protect people's health.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.281-289
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• 2022

Bio-CaCO₃ is a blowout environment-friendly materials for soil improvement and sealing of rock fissures. To evaluate the chemical characteristics, shape, size and productivity of soybean urease induced CaCO₃ precipitates (SUICP), experimental studies were conducted via EDS, XRD, FT-IR, TGA, BET, and SEM. Also, the conversion rate of SUICP reaction at different time were determined and analyzed. The Bio-CaCO₃ product obtained by SUICP is comprehensively judged as calcite based on the results of EDS, XRD and FT-IR. The SUICP calcite precipitates are detected as spherical or ellipsoidal particles 3-6 ㎛ in diameter with nanoscale pores on their surface, and this morphology is novel. The median secondary particle size d₅₀ is 39-88 ㎛, indicating the agglomeration of the primary calcite particles. The Bio-calcite decomposes at 650-780℃, representing a medium thermal stability. The conversion rate of SUICP reaction can reach 80% in 24h, which is much more efficient than microbially induced CaCO₃ precipitation. These results reveal the knowledges of SUICP, and further direct its engineering applications. Moreover, we show an economic channel to obtain porous spherical calcite.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.201-213
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• 1998

From the Jungwon and Munkyeong areas which are among the famous producers of the carbonate-type groundwaters in Korea, various kinds of natural waters (deep groundwater, shallow groundwater and surface water) were collected between 1996 and 1997 and were studied for hydrogeochemical and environmental isotope (${\delta}^{34}S_{so4}$, ${\delta}^{18}O$, ${\delta}D$)systematics. Two types of deep groundwaters (carbonate type and alkali type) occur together in the two areas, and each shows distinct hydrogeochemical and environmental isotope characteristics. The carbonate type waters show the hydrochemical feature of the 'calcium(-sodium)-bicarbonate(-sulfate) type', whereas the alkali type water of the 'sodium-bicarbonate type'. The former type waters are characterized by lower pH, higher Eh, and higher amounts of dissolved ions (especialJy, $Ca^{2+}$, $Na^{+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $HCO_3{^-}$ and $SO_4{^{2-}}$). Two types of deep groundwaters are all saturated or supersaturated with respect to calcite. Two types of deep groundwaters were both derived from pre-thermonuclear (about more than 40 years old) meteoric waters (with lighter 0 and H isotope data than younger waters, i.e., shallow cold groundwaters and surface waters) which evolved through prolonged water-rock interaction. Based on the geologic setting, water chemistry, and environmental isotope data, however, each of these two different types of deep groundwaters represents distinct hydrologic and hydrogeochemical evolution at depths. The carbonate type groundwaters were formed through mixing with acidic waters that were derived from dissolution of pyrites in hydrothermal vein ores (for the Jungwon area water) or in anthracite coal beds (for the Munkyeong area water). If the deeply percolating meteoric waters did not meet pyrites during the circulation, only the alkali type groundwaters would form. This hydrologic and hydrogeochemical model may be successfully applied to the other carbonate type groundwaters in Korea.