• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.383-389
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• 2021

Several studies investigating the behavior and environmental distribution of rare earth elements (REEs) have been reviewed to determine the geochemical processes that may affect their concentrations and fractionation patterns in groundwater and whether these elements can be used as tracers for groundwater-rock interactions and groundwater flow paths in small catchments. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), equipped with an ultrasonic nebulizer and active-film multiplier detector, is routinely used as an analytical technique to measure REEs in groundwater, facilitating the analysis of dissolved REE geochemistry. This review focuses on the distribution of REEs in groundwater and their application as tracers for groundwater geochemistry. Our review of existing literature suggests that REEs in ice cores can be used as effective tracers for atmospheric particles, aiding the identification of source regions.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.3-9
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• 2009

Microorganisms play an important role in the geochemical cycles, industry, environmental cleanup, and biotechnology among other fields. Given the high microbial diversity, identification of the microorganism is essential in understanding and managing the processes. One of the most popular and powerful method for microbial identification is comparative 16S rRNA gene analysis. Due to the highly conserved nature of this essential gene, sequencing and later comparison of it against known rRNA databases can provide assignment of the bacteria into the taxonomy, and the identity of its closest relatives. Isolation and sequencing of 16S rRNA genes directly from natural environments (either from DNA or RNA) can also be used to study the structure of the whole microbial community. Nowadays, novel sequencing technologies with massive outputs are giving researchers worldwide the chance to study the microbial world with a depth that was previously too expensive to achieve. In this article we describe commonly used research approaches for the study of individual microorganisms and microbial communities using the tools provided by Ribosomal Database Project website.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.707-718
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• 2011

We study the natural background and geochemical characteristics on geological groups of stream sediment in the Boseong-Hwasun area. We collected 186ea stream sediment samples along the primary channels and dried them naturally in laboratory. The contents of major, trace and rare earth elements were determined by XRF, ICP-AES and NAA analysis methods. In order to know the natural background and geochemical characteristics of geological groups, we classified the studied area into granitic gneiss (GGn) area and porphyroblastic gneiss (PGn) area. The contents range of major elements for GGn area is $SiO_2$ 45.5-73.09 wt.%, $Al_2O_3$ 12-20.76 wt.%, $Fe_2O_3$(T) 3.72-8.85 wt.%, $K_2O$ 2.38-4.2 wt.%, MgO 0.75-2.77 wt.%, $Na_2O$ 0.78-1.88 wt.%, CaO 0.27-2.1 wt.%, $TiO_2$ 0.56-1.72 wt.%, $P_2O_5$ 0.06-0.73 wt.% and MnO 0.03-0.95 wt.%, and for PGn area it is $SiO_2$ 43.74-70.71 wt.%, $Al_2O_3$ 11.54-25.05 wt.%, $Fe_2O_3$(T) 3.44-13.46 wt.%, $K_2O$ 2.08-3.86 wt.%, MgO 0.65-2.99 wt.%, $Na_2O$ 0.63-1.7 wt.%, CaO 0.35-2.07 wt.%, $TiO_2$ 0.68-4.17 wt.%, $P_2O_5$ 0.1-0.31 wt.% and MnO 0.07-0.33 wt.%. The contents range of hazard elements for GGn area is Cr 41.7-242 ppm, Co 7.6-25.1 ppm, Ni 12-61 ppm, Cu 10-47 ppm, Zn 48.5-412 ppm, Pb 17-215 ppm, and for PGn area, it is Cr 29.6-454 ppm, Co 5.9-53.7 ppm, Ni 8.7-287 ppm, Cu 6.4-134 ppm, Zn 43.6-370 ppm, Pb 15-37 ppm area. There is a good correlation between Cr and MgO and Co among $Al_2O_3$, $Fe_2O_3$(T), MgO and Ni among $Fe_2O_3$(T), CaO, MgO whereas Cu, Zn and Pb have a low correlation for major elements in GGn area. Generally Cr, Co, Ni, and Cu have a good correlation with major elements, but a low correlation with Zn and Pb in PGn area.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.49-60
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to investigate geochemical characteristics for stream sediments in the Naju area. We collected 139 stream sediments samples from primary channels. Samples were dried slowly in the laboratory and chemical analysis was carried out using XRF. ICP-AES and NAA. In order to investigate geochemical characteristics, the geological groups categorized into granitic gneiss area, schist area, granite area, arenaceous rock area, tuff area, andesite area, and rhyolite area. Average contents of major elements for geological groups are $SiO_2\;58.37{\sim}66.06wt.%,\;Al_2O_3\;13.98{\sim}18.41wt.%,\;Fe_2O_3\;4.09{\sim}6.10wt.%,\;CaO\;0.54{\sim}1.33wt.%,\;MgO\;0.86{\sim}1.34wt.%,\;K_2O\;2.38{\sim}4.01wt.%,\;Na_2O\;0.90{\sim}1.32wt.%,\;TiO_2\;0.82{\sim}1.03wt.%,\;MnO\;0.09{\sim}0.15wt.%,\;P_2O_5\;0.11{\sim}0.18wt.%$. According to the comparison of average contents of major elements, $Al_2O_3\;and\;K_2O$ are higher in granitic gneiss area, $Fe_2O_3,\;CaO,\;P_2O_5$ are higher in tuff area, MgO and $TiO_2$ are higher in andesite area, $Na_2O_$ is higher in rhyolite area, $SiO_2$, and MnO are higher in arenaceous rock area. Average contents of minor and rare earth elements for geological groups are $Ba\;1278{\sim}1469ppm,\;Be\;1.1{\sim}1.5ppm,\;Cu\;18{\sim}25ppm,\;Nb\;25{\sim}37ppm,\;Ni\;16{\sim}25ppm,\;Pb\;21{\sim}28ppm,\;Sr\;83{\sim}155ppm,\;V\;64{\sim}98ppm,\;Zr\;83{\sim}146ppm,\;Li\;32{\sim}45ppm,\;Co\;7.2{\sim}12.7ppm,\;Cr\;37{\sim}76ppm,\;Cs\;4.8{\sim}9.1ppm,\;Hf\;7.5{\sim}25ppm,\;Rb\;88{\sim}178ppm,\;Sc\;7.7{\sim}12.6ppm,\;Zn\;83{\sim}143ppm,\;Pa\;11.3{\sim}37ppm,\;Ce\;69{\sim}206ppm,\;Eu\;1.1{\sim}1.5ppm,\;Yb\;1.8{\sim}4.4ppm$. According to the comparison of average contents of minor and rare earth elements for geological groups, Pb, Li, Cs, Hf, Rb, Sb, Pa, Ce, Eu, and Yb are higher in granitic gneiss area; Ba, Co, and Cr in schist area; Nb, Ni, and Zr in arenaceous rock area; Sr in tuff area: and Be, Cu, V, Sc, and Zn are such in andesite area.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Groundwater Environment
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.130-143
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• 1997

To investigate geochemical characteristics and the sources of the dissolved ion species in the river water in the Han river drainage basin, samples were collected at 60 sites from the Han river drainage basin. The data for. pH, conductivity, TDS (total dissolved solid), temperature, and concentrations of dissloved ions were obtained as follows : (1) The geochemical characteristics of the surface water in the South and North Han river drainage basins are mainly controlled by bed rock geology in the drainage basin and in the main stream of the Han river considerably affected by anthropogenic pollution. The South Han river water samples have high concentrations of $Ca^{2＋}$ (ave. 15.42 ppm), $Mg^{2＋}$ (ave. 2.74 ppm), HC $O_3$$^{[-10]}$ (ave. 51.9 ppm), which evidently indicates that the bed rock geology in a limestone area mainly controls the surface water chemistry. The concentration of S $O_4$$^{2-}$ is remarkably high (SHR10-2 : 129.9 ppm) because of acid mine drainage from the metal and coal mines in the upper reaches of the South Han river. (2) The South Han river and the North Han river join the Han river. in the Yangsuri, Kyounggido and flow through Seoul metropolitan city. The mixing ratio is about 60:40 at the meeting point (sample number HRl0). (3) The result of factor analysis suggests that the pollution factor accounts for about 79% and the bed rock type factor accounts for about 7% of the data variation. This means that the geochemical characteristics of the Han river water mainly controlled by anthropogenic pollution in the South Han river and main stream of the Han river drainage basin. (4) The chemical data for four tributaries such as the Wangsukcheon, the Tancheon, the Zunuangcheon, and the Anyangcheon show that the concentration of pollution elements such as N $O_2$, C $l^{－}$, P $O_4$$^{3-}$, S $O_4$$^{2-}$ and Mn are high due to municipal waste disposal.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.727-738
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• 2007

The present study investigation the geochemical characteristics of the stream sediments in the Unbong area was conducted to enable a understanding the natural background and a prediction the prospects of geochemical disaster as a result of that bed rocks(mylonitic granites, Kim et al., 1992). We systematically collected seventy three stream sediments samples by wet sieving along the primary channels. Major, trace and rare earth element(REE) concentrations, combined with mineralogical characteristics, were determined by XRD, XRF, ICP-AES and NAA analysis methods. Major element concentrations for the stream sediments in the Unbong area were $SiO_2\;36.94{\sim}65.39wt.%,\;Al_2O_3\;10.15{\sim}21.77wt.%,\;Fe_2O_3\;3.17{\sim}10.90wt.%,\;CaO\;0.55{\sim}5.27wt.%,\;MgO\;0.52{\sim}4.94wt.%,\;K_2O\;1.38{\sim}4.54wt.%,\;Na_2O\;0.49{\sim}3.36wt.%,\;TiO_2\;0.39{\sim}1.27wt.%,\;MnO\;0.04{\sim}0.22wt.%,\;P_2O_5\;0.08{\sim}0.54wt.%$. Trace and REE concentrations for the stream sediments were $Cu\;4.8{\sim}134ppm,\;Pb\;24.2{\sim}82.5ppm,\;Sr\;95.9{\sim}739ppm,\;V\;19.9{\sim}124ppm,\;Zr\;52.9{\sim}145ppm,\;Li\;25.2{\sim}3.3ppm,\;Co\;3.87{\sim}50.0ppm,\;Cr\;17.4{\sim}234ppm,\;Hf\;3.93{\sim}25.2ppm,\;Sc\;4.60{\sim}20.6ppm,\;Th\;3.82{\sim}36.9ppm,\;Ce\;45.7{\sim}243ppm,\;Eu\;0.89{\sim}2.69ppm,\;Yb\;1.42{\sim}5.18ppm$. According to the comparison of average major element concentrations, CaO, $Na_2O\;and\;K_2O$ contents are higher in stream sediments than in bed rocks(mylonitic granites, Kim et al., 1992) $Al_2O_3\;and\;SiO_2$ contents show good correlation both stream sediments and bed rocks(mylonitic granites, Kim et al., 1992). Yb and Eu in the stream sediments show a positive correlation with $SiO_2$. In contrast, the stream sediments display a negative correlation.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.221-234
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• 2013

Laboratory experiments for the reaction with supercritical $CO_2$ under the $CO_2$ sequestration condition were performed to investigate the mineralogical and geochemical weathering process of the sandstones and mudstones in the Pohang basin. To simulate the supercritical $CO_2$-rock-groundwater reaction, rock samples used in the experiment were pulverized and the high pressurized cell (200 ml of capacity) was filled with 100 ml of groundwater and 30 g of powdered rock samples. The void space of the high pressurized cell was saturated with the supercritical $CO_2$ and maintained at 100 bar and $50^{\circ}C$ for 60 days. The changes of mineralogical and geochemical properties of rocks were measured by using XRD (X-Ray Diffractometer) and BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller). Concentrations of dissolved cations in groundwater were also measured for 60 days of the supercritical $CO_2$-rock-groundwater reaction. Results of XRD analyses indicated that the proportion of plagioclase and K-feldspar in the sandstone decreased and the proportion of illite, pyrite and smectite increased during the reaction. In the case of mudstone, the proportion of illite and kaolinite and cabonate-fluorapatite increased during the reaction. Concentration of $Ca^{2+}$ and $Na^+$ dissolved in groundwater increased during the reaction, suggesting that calcite and feldspars of the sandstone and mudstone would be significantly dissolved when it contacts with supercritical $CO_2$ and groundwater at $CO_2$ sequestration sites in Pohang basin. The average specific surface area of sandstone and mudstone using BET analysis increased from $27.3m^2/g$ and $19.6m^2/g$ to $28.6m^2/g$ and $26.6m^2/g$, respectively, and the average size of micro scale void spaces for the sandstone and mudstone decreased over 60 days reaction, resulting in the increase of micro pore spaces of rocks by the dissolution. Results suggested that the injection of supercritical $CO_2$ in Pohang basin would affect the physical property change of rocks and also $CO_2$ storage capacity in Pohang basin.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.189-197
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• 2012

Geochemical composition of fracture filling minerals and groundwater was investigated to characterize geochemical characteristics of groundwater system at the KURT site. Minerals such as calcite, illite, laumontite, chlorite, epidote, montmorillonite, and kaolinite, as well as I/S mixed layer minerals were detected in the minerals extracted from the fracture surfaces of the core samples. The groundwater from the DB-1, YS-1 and YS-4 boreholes showed alkaline conditions with pH of higher than 8. The electrical conductivity (EC) values of the groundwater samples were around $200{\mu}S/cm$, except for the YS-1 borehole. Dissolved oxygen was almost zero in the DB-1 borehole indicating highly reduced conditions. The Cl- concentration was estimated around 5 mg/L and showed homogeneous distribution along depths at the KURT site. It might indicate the mixing between shallow groundwater and deep groundwater. The shallow groundwater from boreholes showed $Ca-HCO_3$ type, whereas deep groundwater below 300 m from the surface indicated $Na-HCO_3$ type. The isotopic values observed in the groundwater ranged from -10.4 to -8.2‰ for ${\delta}^{18}O$ and from -71.3 to -55.0‰for ${\delta}D$. In addition, the isotope-depleted water contained higher fluoride concentration. The oxygen and hydrogen isotopic values of deep groundwater were more depleted compared to the shallow groundwater. The results from age dating analysis using $^{14}C$ indicated relatively younger (2000~6000yr old) groundwater compared to other european granitic groundwaters such as Stripa (Sweden).

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.691-710
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• 2017

This study was performed to investigate the geochemical and benthic environment of three shellfish farms in Suncheon Bay during the period of September 2014 ~ April 2015. Three sampling stations were selected; St.1 is the shellfish farm of razor clam near Jangsan area. St.2 is the shellfish farm of small ark shell near Hwapo area and St.3 is the shellfish farm of razor clam near Yongdu area. Razor clam was the dominant species at St.1, small ark shell and granulated ark shell were dominant at St.2 and St.3, respectively. Granulated ark shell inhabited St.3, although it is not cultured at that station. This station's exposure to air during the ebb tide and sediment composition likely provides the appropriate habitat for granulated ark shell species. Analysis of the number of different species showed that 8 benthos species were found to be distributed at St.1, 18 species at St.2, and 13 species at St.3. Among three stations, the highest Ignition Loss (IL), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Acid Volatile Sulfide (AVS) values were obtained from the sediment at St.2. The analysis of pore water from St.2 also showed the highest values of Total Organic Carbon (TOC), ammonia ($NH_4^+$), Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN) and phosphate ($PO_4^{3-}$). These results are related to the fact that species dominance and richness is the highest in St.2.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.31-44
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• 2012

Seasonal changes in groundwater geochemistry exist in Ddan-sum island. In the farming season of April, the spatial distribution of ions explains that $Fe^{2+}$, Fe(total), $Mn^{2+}$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $SiO_2$, ${HCO_3}^-$, and ${NO_3}^-$ are high in the center of the island, but $Na^+$ and $K^+$ are relatively low and these high anions indicates the effect of fertilizer used for strawberry cultivation. Spatial variation of ion concentration is smaller in August than April because of low agricultural activity and heavy rainfall. Geochemical type of groundwater shows that the center of island has the characteristics of recharge zone but the rim area corresponds to a mixing zone between groundwater and stream water. According to the analysis of saturation index for Fe and Mn ions, hematite, goethite, and rhodochrosite under supersaturation have a possibility of additional mineral deposition, and siderite, $Fe(OH)_3$, manganite, pyrolusite, and pyrochroite under unsaturation may exist as a type of dissolved ion.