• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.767-785
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• 2021

World-class magnesite deposits are developed in the Dashiqiao mineralized district of the Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt in China. This belt extends to the northern side of the Korean Peninsula and hosts major magnesite deposits in the Dancheon region of North Korea. Magnesite ores from the Pailou deposits in the Dashiqiao district is classified into pure magnetite, chlorite-magnetite, chlorite-talc-magnetite, and dolomite groups depending on the constituent minerals. According to the result of petrographic study, magnesite was formed by the alteration of dolomite, and, talc, chlorite, and apatite were produced as late-stage alteration minerals that replaced the magnesite. Fluid inclusions observed in magnesite are a liquid-type inclusion, with a homogenization temperature of 121-250 ℃ and a salinity of 1.7-22.4 wt% NaCl equiv. The chlorite geothermometer, indicating the temperature of hydrothermal alteration, is 137~293 ℃, slightly higher than the homogenization temperature of fluid inclusions, and the pressure is calculated to be less than 3.2 kb. For magnesite mineralization in the study area, the initially formed-dolomite was subjected to replacement by Mg-rich fluid to form a magnesite ore body, and then it was enriched through regional metamorphism and hydrothermal alteration. It seems that altered minerals such as talc were crystallized by Si and Al-rich late-stage hydrothermal fluids. These results are similar to the genetic environments of the Daeheung deposit, a representative magnesite deposit in North Korea, and it is believed that the two deposits went through a similar geological and ore genetic process of magnesite mineralization.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.713-726
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• 2007

The Daebong deposit consists of gold-silver-bearing mesothermal massive quartz veins which fill fractures along fault zones($N10{\sim}20^{\circ}W,\;40{\sim}60^{\circ}SW$) within banded gneiss or granitic gneiss of Precambrian Gyeonggi massif. Ore mineralization of the deposit is composed of massive white quartz vein(stage I) which was formed in the same stage by multiple episodes of fracturing and healing and transparent quartz vein(stage II) which is separated by a major faulting event. The hydrothermal alteration of stage I is sericitization, chloritization, carbonitization, pyritization, silicification and argillization. Sericitic zone occurs near and at quartz vein and includes mainly sericite, quartz, and minor illite, carbonates and epidote. Chloritic zone occurs far from quartz vein and is composed of mainly chlorite, quartz and minor sericite, carbonates and epidote. Fe/(Fe+Mg) ratios of sericite and chlorite range 0.36 to 0.59($0.51{\pm}0.10$) and 0.66 to 0.73($0.70{\pm}0.02$), and belong to muscovite-petzite series and brunsvigite, respectively. Calculated $Al_{IV}-Fe/(Fe+Mg)$ diagrams of sericite and chlorite suggest that this can be a reliable indicator of alteration temperature in Au-Ag deposits. Calculated activities of chlorite end member are $a3(Fe_5Al_2Si_3O_{10}(OH){_6}=0.00964{\sim}0.0291,\;a2(Mg_5Al_2Si_3O_{10}(OH){_6}= 9.99E-07{\sim}1.87E-05,\;a1(Mg_6Si_4O_{10}(OH){_6}=5.61E-07{\sim}1.79E-05$. It suggest that chlorite from the Daebong deposit is iron-rich chlorite formed due to decreasing temperature from $T>450^{\circ}C$. Calculated $log\;{\alpha}K^+/{\alpha}H^+,\;log\;{\alpha}Na^+/{\alpha}H^+,\;log\;{\alpha}Ca^{2+}/{\alpha}^2H^+$ and pH values during wall-rock alteration are $4.6(400^{\circ}C),\;4.1(350^{\circ}C),\;4.0(400^{\circ}C),\;4.2(350^{\circ}C),\;1.8(400^{\circ}C),\;4.5(350^{\circ}C),\;5.4{\sim}6.5(400^{\circ}C)\;and\;5.1{\sim}5.5(350^{\circ}C)$, respectively. Gain elements (enrichment elements) during wallrock alteration are $K_2O,\;P_2O_5,\;Na2O$, Ba, Sr, Cr, Sc, V, Pb, Zn, Be, Ag, As, Ta and Sb. Elements(Sr, V, Pb, Zn, As, Sb) represent a potentially tools for exploration in mesothermal and epithermal gold-silver deposits.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.240-247
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• 1997

Bacillary is the most common form of H. pylori observed during human infection. However, it is known that the morphology change of H. pylori from bacillary to coccoid can be occurred with a response to the environmental stresses such as the nutrient depletion, accumulation of toxic metabolites, pH alteration, and exposure to antimicrobial agents. The coccoid form of H. pylori, which is viable but non-culturable in vitro, seems to be the major cause of antibiotic resistancy and high reinfectability of H. pylori. In this regard, we studied the environmental factors that can induce the morphological change in vitro of H. pylori, and the change of fatty acid composition of plasma membrane. The morphological change from bacillary to coccoid could be observed with the depletion of nutrients, pH variation and reactive oxygen species added in the culture media. This morphologic conversion was paralleled by a dramatic decrease in unsaturated fatty acids and an increase in saturated fattv acids of plasma membrane. The change in composition of membrane fatty acid seems to be a kind of protection mechanism of H. pylori against these environmental stresses.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.14 no.4 s.41
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• pp.381-390
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• 2004

This study was performed to relate the weathering properties of Oyaish tuff from Japan to mechanical properties of rocks in terms of mineralogical alteration and chemistry. The tuff is composed of clinoptilolite, quartz, feldspars, mordenite, opal C-T, and smectite. Since fresh tuff contains approximately $30\~50\%$ zeolite, it is expected that the rock is subjected to weathering process ascribed to water contents on earth surface, significantly reducing mechanical strength of tuff. It is also anticipated that weathering process and properties may be different even in the same rock mass, due to the differences in local mineralogy, chemistry and microtextures in tuff.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.13-22
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• 2009

The study area is a tunnelling section passing through the Yangsan Fault zone. Kyungbu express highway and national road 35 are located above the tunnel. Previous study showed that fault gouge and fault breccia were widely distributed in the tunnelling section with a maximum width of 100 m. From the present study, it is found that sedimentary rocks consisting mainly of shale are distributed at the eastern block of the Yangsan Fault and these rocks are not subject to mechanical fracturing and hydrothermal alteration. On the other hand, dacitic tuff distributed at the western block of the Yangsan Fault is largely affected by mechanical fracturing and hydrothermal alteration. The large fault zone of $50{\sim}130m$ width was formed by complex processes of mechanical fracturing and hydrothermal alterations such as chloritization, sericitization, and kaolinization. Based on the characteristics of mechanical fracturing and hydrothermal alterations, the Yangsan fault zone in the study area is geotechnically classified as four zones: unaltered zone, altered zone, altered fractured zone, and fault gouge zone. These zones show different degrees and aspects in mechanical fracturing and hydrothermal alterations, resulting in different engineering properties.

• Proceedings of the Mineralogical Society of Korea Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.66-66
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• 2003

King George island, Antarctica, is mostly covered by ice sheet and glaciers, but the land area is focally exposed for several thousand years after deglaciation. For a mineralogical study of chemical weathering in the polar environment, glacial debris was sampled at the well-developed patterned ground which was formed by long periglaclal process. As fresh equivalents, recently exposed tills were sampled at the base of ice cliff of outlet glaciers and at the melting margin of ice cap together with fresh bedrock samples. Fresh tills are mostly composed of quartz, plagioclase, chlorite, and illite, but those derived from hydrothermal alteration zone contain smectite and illite-smectite. In bedrocks, chlorite was the major clay minerals in most samples with minor illite near hydrothermal alteration zone and interstratified chlorite-smectite in some samples. Smectite closely associated with eolian volcanic glass was assigned to alteration in their source region. Blocks with rough surface due to chemical disintegration showed weathering rinds of several millimeter thick. Comparision between inner fresh and outer altered zones did not show notable change in clay mineralogy except dissolution of calcite and some plagioclase. Most significant weathering was observed in the biotite flakes, eolian volcanic glass, sulfides, and carbonates in the debris. Biotite flakes derived from granodiorite were altered to hydrobiotite and vermiculite of yellow brown color. Minor epitactic kaolinite and gibbsite were formed in the cleaved flakes of weathered biotite. Pyrite was replaced by iron oxides. Calcite was congruently dissolved. Volcanic glass of basaltic andesite composition showed alteration rim of several micrometer thick or completely dissolved leaving mesh of plagioclase laths. In the alteration rim, Si, Na, Mg, and Ca were depleted, whereas Al, Ti, and Fe were relatively enriched. Mineralization of lichen and moss debris is of much interest. They are rich of A3 and Si roughly in the ratio of 2:1 to 3:1 typical of allophane. In some case, Fe and Ti are enriched in addition to Al and Si. Transmission electron microscopy of the samples rich of volcanic glass showed abundant amorphous aluminosilicates, which are interpreted as allophane. Chemical weathering in the King George Island is dominated by the leaching of primary phyllosilicates, carbonates, eolian volcanic glass, and minor sulfides. Authigenesls of clay minerals is less active. Absence of a positive evidence of significant authigenic smectite formation suggests that its contribution to the clay mineralogy of marine sediments are doubtful even near the maritime Antarctica undergoing a more rapid and intenser chemical weathering under more humid and milder climate.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.223-233
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• 2010

The effects of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on adsorption and redox state alteration of dissolved As, Cr and U were investigated through batch experiments. Surfaces of bacterial cells were either vigorously washed or unwashed. Solutions of As(V), Cr(VI) and U(VI) were inoculated with the bacterial cells under no nutrient condition, and total aqueous concentrations and redox state alteration were monitored over time. No As adsorption occurred onto bacteria or EPS; however, unwashed bacteria reduced about 60% As(V) to As(III). Unwashed bacteria also led to removal of 45% total dissolved Cr and reduction of 64% Cr(VI). About 80% U(VI) was removed from solution with unwashed bacteria as well. Such electrochemical reduction of the elements was likely due to reducing capacity of EPS itself or detoxifying reduction of the bacteria which kept their viability under protection of EPS. The results indicated that bacterial biofilm may significantly control the redox state and subsequent mobility of As, Cr and U in natural geologic settings.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.325-335
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• 2015

This study examined the possibility to extract potential alteration zones and lithologic information based on ASTER band ratio techniques for mineralized area located in ${\ddot{O}}v{\ddot{o}}rkhangai$ province, Mongolia, and the effectiveness of remote sensing as a preliminary exploration tool for mineral exploration was tested. The results of ABRLO, PBRLO, and PrBRLO models indicated that the detection of argillic zone requires the verification of the samples to verify hydrothermal alteration minerals as clay minerals can formed by weathering process, whereas phyllic-propylitic zones were considerably related to the spatial distribution of the intrusive bodies, geological structures, and ore distribution. QI and MI results showed that QI is more useful for sedimentary rocks such as conglomerate and sandstone than meta-sedimentary like quartzite, and MI faced relatively uncertain in detection of felsic or mafic silicate rocks. QI and MI may require additional geologic information such as the characteristics of samples and geological survey data to improve extraction of lithologic information, and, if so, it is expected that remote sensing technique would contribute significantly as a preliminary geological survey method.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2006

Among poly aromatic hydrocarbons, dioxin and PCBs are the most controversial environmental pollutants in our modern life. These pollutants are known as human carcinogens, and liver is the most sensitive target in animal cancer models. Specific aims of the study were focused on the mechanism of carcinogenesis in hepatocytes and the structure-activity relation among these diverse environmental chemicals. Because key mechanisms of dioxin-induced carcinogenesis in human epithelial cell model are the alteration of signal transduction pathway and PKC isoforms, the alteration of the signal transduction pathways and other factors associated with carcinogenesis were studied. Rat hepatocytes cultured under the sandwich protocols were exposed with the various concentration of dioxins and PCBs, and signal transduction pathway, protein kinase C isoforms, oxidant stress, and apoptotic nuclei were evaluated. Since it is important to understand the structure-activity relation among these chemicals to properly assess the carcinogenic potentials, the study analyzed the parameters associated with carcinogenic processes, based on their structural characteristics. In addition, signal transduction pathways and PKC isoforms involved in inhibition of UV-induced apoptosis were also analyzed to elaborate the tumor promotion mechanism of these chemicals. Induction of apoptosis by UV irradiation was optimal at $60\;J/m^2$ in primary hepatocyte in culture. Compared to non coplanar PCBs such as PCB 114 and PCB 153, coplanar PCBs such as PCB 77 and PCB126 showed a stronger inhibition of apoptosis induced by UV irradiation. Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was more stimulated by non-coplanar PCBs than coplanar PCBs with the most potent induction of ROS by chlorinated non-coplanar PCB. As compared to the level of induction by PCB126, non-coplanar PCB153 showed a higher increase of intracellular concentrations. Besides the alteration of intracellular calcium concentration, translocation of PKC from cytosolic fraction to membrane fraction was clearly observed upon the exposure of non-coplanar PCB. Taken together, the present study demonstrated that there is a potent structure-activity relationship among PCB congeners and the mechanism of PAH-induced carcinogenesis is structure-specific. The study suggested that more diverse pathways of PAH-induced carcinogenesis should be taken into account beyond the boundary of Ah receptor dogma to assess the health impact of PAH with more accuracy.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.102-107
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• 2007

Environmental contamination becomes a great public concern as our society gets industrialized rapidly. The present study examine the role of chitosan in a effort to intervene the environmental pollutant-induced toxicity. PCB-induced neurotoxicity with respect to the PKC signaling was examined. Since the developing neuron is particularly sensitive to PCB-induced neurotoxicity, we isolated cerebellar granule cells derived from 7-day old SD rats and grew cells in culture for additional 7 days to mimic PND-14 conditions. PCB showed the alteration of PKC signaling pathway. The alteration was structure-dependent. Mono-ortho-substituted congeners at a high dose showed a significant increase of total PKC activity at [$^3H$]PDBu binding assay, indicating that mono-ortho-substituted congeners are more neuroactive than non-ortho-substituted congeners in neuronal cells. PKC isoforms were immunoblotted with respective monoclonal antibodies. PKC-beta II and -epsilon were activated with mono-ortho-substituted congeners exposure. The result suggests that the position with ortho has a higher potential of altering the signaling pathway. Alteration of PKC was blocked with treatment of high molecular weight of chitosan. The study demonstrated that the ortho position in PCBs are important in assessing the structure-activity relationship. The results suggest a potential use of marine bioactive materials as a means of nutritional intervention to prevent the harmful effects of pollutant-derived toxicity.