• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.461-470
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• 2001

The Shihung mine was restored in the early 90's after abandonment for 20 yews since 1973. Although disposed mine tailings were removed and the site was replaced by an incineration plant, still some residual mine tailings remain in the places including the old mine tailing ditposal area and the adjacent agricultural area. These residual mine tailings are prone to impose an adverse impact on the soil and groundwater and needs investigation for the potential contamination. Mine tailing samples were collected from the old tailing disposal area and the iii paddy. The porewater from the mine tailing were extracted and analysed to investigate chemical changes along the reaction path. Batch leaching tests were also carried out in the laboratory to find any supporting evidence found in the field analysis. Evidence of elemental leaching was confirmed both by the mine tailing and the porewater chemistry in them. The element concentrations of Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn in the porewater exceed the standard for drinking water of Korean government and US EPA. Leaching of heavy metals from the mine tailing seem to be responsible for the contamination. In batch leaching test. heavy metals were either continuous1y released or declined rapidly. Combining the information with porewater variation with depths and the geochemical meodeling results, most of elements are controlled by dissolution and/or precipitation processes, with some solubility controlling solid phases (Cu, Pb, Fe and Zn). Batch leaching test conducted at fixed pH 4 showed much higher releases for the heavy metals up to 400 times (Zn) and this area is becoming more vulnerable to soil and groundwater pollution as precipitation pH shifts to acidic condition.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.311-324
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• 2017

To certificate change in the geochemical characteristics of surface sediments in the main stream of the Nakdong River, surface sediments from 12 sampling sites during the first and second half year (total 24 sampling sites) were collected and analyzed for grain size, ignition loss, total organic carbon and heavy metal content. Surface sediments mainly composed of sand (coarse and medium sand) and fining changed from the first half to the second half of the year. Ignition loss, total organic carbon and heavy metals content increased in the second half of the year. Some heavy metals (Zn, Ni and Cu) were found to be at the lowest effect levels according to Ontario sediment quality guidelines. Additionally, most heavy metals were found to be at the non polluted level and level I according to USEPA sediment quality standards and National Institute of Environmental Research sediment pollution evaluation standard, respectively. The enrichment factor (< 1) and index of geoaccmulation (< 0) were non polluted in the study area. The correlation analysis results showed that ignition loss, total organic carbon and heavy metal content were highly correlated with grain size. Regarding changes in geochemical characteristics of surface sediments in the study area, grain size fine and organic matter and heavy metal content increased in the second half year. Nonetheless these results indicated pollution levels that did not adversely affect the benthos.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.40 no.2 s.183
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• pp.251-262
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• 2007

The purpose of this research is to develop a Geological Information System(GIS) in order to store, manage and display geochemical data observed from references of recently domestic granite. There is still no use in geochemical and mineralogical information such as REE(rare earth element), trace elements, mode data(modals or mineral composition) and major elements. Therefore, we need to construct the standardized database system for the analytical data of granites through the verification of its data in South Korea. To construct the information system for geochemical and mineralogical information of granites in South Korea. Firstly, we collected the existing research data related digital map data. Secondly, we extract granite polygons to digital geological map and convert the polygon to points in South Korea. Thirdly, we considered both database schema and symbols of REE elements, trace elements, modal data and major mineral. Fourthly, we carried out all sorts of process to build granite database for GIS statistic analysis and visualization.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.69-91
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• 1993

A total of 76 surface sediment samples, collected from the Korean west coast and the eastern Yellow Sea areas, were analyzed for their elemental composition in order to understand the geochemical characteristics of these deposits. The analyzed elements included 9 major elements (Al, Fe, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Ti, P, Mn), 8 minor elements (Sr, Ba, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn), organic carbon and calcium carbonate. Contents of most analyzed elements, excluding K and Ba, were generally low compared to those of average crust. Contents of most elements, except K and Ca, also correlated with sediment grain size, though the degree of relationship varied widely from one element to another. For fine-grained sediments, a distinction could be made between those in the central Yellow Sea and those in the Keum Estuary based on their characteristic elemental composition: the former were rich in Fe, Na, K, Mg, Ca and V, and the latter in Mn, Co and Ni. The element/aluminium ratios, on the other hand, showed that the central Yellow Sea muds were enriched in Fe, Mg, V, Ni, Cu and Zn and depleted in K, Mn, Ba and Sr relative to the mud located near the Korean Peninsula. Based on the analysis of these results, as well as of the influences of particular mineral phases or pollution effects, we could suggest geochemical criteria which can be used in distinguishing muds from the two different sources, the Keum River and the Yellow River: the former by the higher Mn content and the latter by the higher Mg and V contents, relative to each other.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2017

Reddish brown clay-silt sediments covered granitoid weathering crust in the Jangdongri area, Naju, Korea. Mineralogical and geochemical properties of the ~2 m sediment section were investigated. The sediments were composed mainly of quartz (50%) and clay minerals (45%) with minor contents of K-feldspar, goethite, hematite, and gibbsite. The clay minerals were illite, illite-smectite mixed-layers, vermiculite, hydroxy-Al vermiculite, kaolinite, and halloysite. Mineral composition varied little through the section with the minor upward enrichment of plagioclase and chlorite. Abundant illitic clay minerals indicated the remote source of the sediments because clays derived by granite weathering in Korea were dominated by kaolin minerals. A comparison with the mineral composition of Asian dust (Hwangsa) suggested that plagioclase and K-feldspar disappeared by chemical weathering after deposition, resulting in the quartz and clay-rich sediments. Plagioclase and chlorite altered to kaolin and vermiculite, respectively. Goethite and hematite derived by the weathering of iron-bearing minerals stained the sediment to reddish brown color. The mineralogical and geochemical properties of the reddish brown clay-silt sediments were consistent with those of eolian deposits identified in Korea, supporting eolian origin of the Jangdongri sediments, requiring future confirmation including age dating and isotopic analysis.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2017

Surface soils on Barton Peninsula, King George Island, West Antarctica were investigated to acquire the mineralogical and geochemical data of soil in Antarctica. Multiline of techniques for example, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM)-electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), and wet chemistry analysis were performed to measure the composition of clay minerals, Fe-oxidation states, cation exchange capacity, and total cation concentration. Various minerals in sediments such as smectite, illite, chlorite, kaolinite, quartz and plagioclase were identified by XRD. Fe-oxidation states of bulk soils showed 20-40% of Fe(II) which would be ascribed to the reduction of Fe in clays as well as Fe-bearing minerals. Moreover, redox states of Fe in smectite structure was a ~57% of Fe(III) consistent to the values for the bulk soils. The cation exchange capacity of bulk soils ranged from 100 to 300 meq/kg and differences were not significantly measured for the sampling locations. Total cations (Mg, K, Na, Al, Fe) of bulk soils varies, contrast to the heavy metals (Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mn). These results suggested that composition of bed rocks influenced the distribution of elements in soil environments and soils containing clay compositions may went through the bio/geochemical alteration.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.11-23
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• 1990

Pyrophyllite, kaolinite, and alunite deposits distributing in Southwestern parts of Cheonnam are classified into three types of minerals assemblages by the results of X-ray diffraction analysis etc. The first mineral assemblages contains pyrophyllite, kaolinite, dickite, quartz, diaspore and/or corundum, the second one contains alunite inseads of corundum, and the third one contains alunite without pyrophyllite and diaspore. It is can be considered that the depoSits which consist mainly of pyrophyllite are formed higher temperature than the other deposits. Judging form the chemical analyses the chemical compositions of hydrothermal solutions acting to the deposits seem to be relatively simple. But the hydrothermal solutions which generated Dogcheon, Jugjcon, Ogmaesan, and Seongsan mine contain rather somewhat higher $K_2O$. The values of the Trace Elements and REE analysis of the host rocks of deposits suggest that the host rocks are these deposits are the last products of magmatic differentiation.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2016

Groundwater flow paths and groundwater ages at a radioactive waste repository located in a coastal area of South Korea were evaluated using the hydrochemical and hydrogeological characteristics of groundwater, surface water, rain water, and seawater, as well as by numerical modeling. The average groundwater travel time in the top layer of the model, evaluated by numerical modeling and groundwater age (34 years), approximately corresponds to the groundwater age obtained by chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-12 analysis (26-34 years). The data suggest that the groundwater in wells in the study area originated up-gradient at distances of 140-230 m. Results of CFC analyses, along with seasonal variations in the δ¹⁸O and δD values of groundwater and the relationships between ²²²Rn concentrations and δ¹⁸O values and between ²²²Rn concentrations and δD values, indicate that groundwater recharge occurs in the summer rainy season and discharge occurs in the winter dry season. Additionally, a linear relationship between dissolved SiO₂ concentrations and groundwater ages indicates that natural mineralization is affected by the dilution of groundwater recharge in the rainy summer season.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.73-80
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• 2013

Fine suspended solids from coal mine drainage were treated in the treating plant, using two different pilot-scale inclined clarifiers: radial and lamella types. Suspended solids in the mine drainage were monitored along with other geochemical factors, and metal contents. Fe and Mn are the main chemical components in the drainage, which exist predominantly as total metal forms, whereas dissolved portion is negligible. The raw mine drainage is subject to physical and chemical treatment using $CaCO_3$ and NaOH, therefore the suspended solids are thought to be composed of Fe and Mn precipitates, possibly $Fe(OH)_3$, along with carbonate precipitates. The elemental composition of precipitates are confirmed by SEM-EDS analysis. As nearly all the dissolved ions were precipitated in the primary process by $CaCO_3$, no further aeration or prolonged oxygenation are of necessity in this plant. Adoption of inclined clarifier proved to be effective in treating fine suspended solids in the current plant. Successful application of the inclined clarifier will also be beneficial to improve the current treating process by excluding the current application of chemical agent in the first stage. The final effluents from the pilot plant meet the national standards and the low dissolved Fe and Mn contents are expected not to cause secondary precipitation after discharge.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 1993

This research aims to investigate some respects of chemical weathering processes, espcially the amount of solute leaching, formation of clay minerals, and the chemical weathering rate of granite rocks under present climatic conditions. For this purpose, I investigated geochemical mass balance in a small catchment and the mineralogical composition of weathered bedrocks including clay mineral assemblages at four res-pective sites along one slope. The geochemical mass blance for major elements of rock forming minerals was calculated from precipitation and streamwater data which are measured every week for one year. The study area is a climatically and litholo-gically homogeneous small catchment($3.62Km^2$)in Anyang-shi, Kyounggi-do, Korea. The be-drock of this area id Anyang Granite which is composed of coarse-giained, pink-colored miner-als. Main rock forming minerals are quartz, K-Feldspar, albite, and muscovite. One of the chracteristics of this granite rock is that its amount of Ca and Mg is much lower than other granite rock. The leaching pattern in the weathering profiles is in close reltion to the geochemical mass balance. Therefore the removal or accumulation of dissolved materials shows weathering patterns of granite in the Korean peninsula. Oversupplied ions into the drainage basin were $H^+$, $K^+$, Fe, and Mn, whereas $Na^2+$, $Mg^2+$, $Ca^2+$, Si, Al and $HCO-3^{-}$ were removed from the basin by the stream. The consumption of hydrogen ion in the catchment implies the hydrolysis of minerals. The surplus of $K^+$ reflects that vegetation is in the aggravation stage, and the nutrient cycle of the forest in study area did not reach a stable state. And it can be also presumed that the accumulation of $K^+$ in the top soil is related to the surplus of $K^+$. Oversupplied Fe and Mn were presumed to accumulate in soil by forming metallic oxide and hydroxide. In the opposite, the removal of $Na^+$, Si, Al resulted from the chemical weathering of albite and biotite, and the amount of removal of $Na^+$, Si, Al reflected the weathering rate of the bedrock. But $Ca^2+$ and $Mg^2+$ in stream water were contaminated by the scattered calcareous structures over the surface. Kaolinite is a stable clay mineral under the present environment by the thermodynamical analysis of the hydrogeochemical data and Tardy's Re value. But this result was quite different from the real assemblage of clay miner-als in soil and weathered bedrock. This differ-ence can be explained by the microenvironment in the weathering profile and the seasonal variation of climatic factors. There are different clay forming environments in the stydy area and these differences originate from the seasonal variation of climate, especially the flushing rate in the weathering profile. As it can be known from the results of the analysis of thermodynamic stability and characteristics of geochemical mas balance, the climate during winter and fall, when it is characterized by the low flushing rate and high solute influx, shows the environmental characteristics to from 2:1 clay minerals, such as illite, smectite, vermiculite and mixed layer clay minerals which are formed by neoformation or transformation from the primary or secondary minerals. During the summer and spring periods, kaoli-nite is a stable forming mineral. However it should consider that the other clay minerals can transformed into kaolinite or other clay minerals, because these periods have a high flushing rte and temperature. Materials which are directly regulated by chemical weathering in the weathered bedrock are $Na^+$, Si, and Al. The leaching of Al is, however, highly restricted and used to form a clay mineral, and that of Si falls under the same category. $Na^+$ is not taked up by growing veget ation, and fixed in the weathering profile by forming secondary minerals. Therefore the budget of $Na^+$ is a good indicator for the chemical weathering rate in the study area. The amount of chemical weathering of granite rocks was about 31.31g/$m^2+$/year based on $Na^+$ estimation.