• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.21-34
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• 1989

Chindong granites are classified into granodiorite, tonalite and quartz-diorite, and Yucheon - Eonyang granites into monzo-granite by the Streckeisen diagram. These granitic rocks of Cretaceous age show trend of calc-alkaline magma, and the magmatic evolution from basic to acidic rocks is consistant with the general crystallization path of the Cretaceous granitic rocks in the Gyeongsang basin. On the basis of petrological and petrochemical data, variation of major elements (K, Na, Ca, Mg) and trace elements (Rb, Sr, Ba) including ore metals (Cu, Pb, Zn) in the Cretaceous granitic rocks were studied in detail in order to investigate geochemical difference of the granitic rocks in relation to mineralization between Cu province and Pb-Zn province in the Gyeongsang basin. There is clear difference in content of the major elements between Chindong granites and Yucheon-Eonyang granites : Chindong granites have low content of K (1.62%) and Na (2.53%), and high content of Ca (3.75%) and Mg (1.42%) whereas Yucheon-Eonyang granites have high content of K (3.56-3.60%), and low content of Ca (0.96-0.26%) and Mg (0.26-0.21%). There is also clear difference in content of trace lithophile elements between Chindong granites and Yucheon-Eonyang, granites : Chindong granites have low content of Rb (86ppm) and Ba (330ppm), and high content of Sr (405ppm) while Yucheon-Eonyang, granites have high content of Rb (144-161ppm) and Ba (983-1030ppm), and low content of Sr (157-136ppm). The lithophile trace elements of Rb and Sr vary with close relationship to major elements of K and Ca, respectively. Therefore, Chindong granites are much easily distinguished from Yucheon-Eonyang granites by using relationship of K with Rb and Ca with Sr : K<3%, Rb<100ppm, Ca<2% and Sr>200ppm for Chindong granites, and K>3%, Rb>100ppm, Ca<2%, and Sr<200ppm for Yucheon-Eonyang granites. There is not clear difference in content of trace ore metals between Chindong granites and Yucheon-Eonyang granites : Chindong granites of the Cu province have low Cu content (15ppm) which is nearly equal to 13-14ppm of Yucheon-Eonyang granites of the Pb-Zn province, and Yucheon-Eonyang granites have Pb content (29-27ppm) which is rather lower than 37ppm of Chindong granites. But Cu is anomalously high in the mineralized part of Chindong granites in Gunbuk-Haman area, and Zn is apparently higher in Yucheon-Eonyang granites (51-37ppm) than in Chindong granites (29ppm). K/Pb ratio is also c1early distinguishable between Chindong granites (<850) and Yucheon-Eonyang granites (>850). Thus, it may be possible to apply geochemical difference of the granites to distinguish whether a Cretaceous granitic body is Cu related rock or Pb-Zn related rock, and whether it belongs to Cu province or Pb-Zn province in the Gyeongsang basin.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.635-649
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• 2007

Geochemical composition, stable isotopes $({\delta}^{18}O,\;{\delta}D,\;{\delta}^{34}S)$ and noble gases(He, Ne and Ar) of nine hot spring water and three groundwater for five hot springs(Jukam, Hwasun, Dokog, Jirisan, Beunsan) from the Honam area were analyzed to investigate the hydrogeochemical characteristics and the hydrogeochemical evolution of the hot spring waters, and to interpret the source of sulfur, helium and argon dissolved in the hot spring waters. The hot spring waters show low water temperature ranging from 23.0 to $30.5^{\circ}C$ and alkaline characteristics of pH 7.67 to 9.98. Electrical conductivity of hot spring waters is $153{\sim}746{\mu}S/cm$. Groundwaters in this area were characterized by the acidic to neutral pH range$(5.85{\sim}7.21)$, the wide electrical conductivity range $(44{\sim}165{\mu}S/cm)$. The geochemical compositions of hot spring and groundwaters can be divided into three water types: (1) $Na-HCO_3$ water type, (2) Na-Cl water type and (3) $Ca-HCO_3$ water type. The hot spring water of $Ca-HCO_3$ water type in early stage have been evolved through $Ca(Na)-HCO_3$ water type into $Na-HCO_3$ type in final stage. In particular, Jurim alkaline(pH 9.98) hot spring water plotted at the end point of $Na-HCO_3$ type in the Piper diagram is likely to arrive into the final stage in geochemical evolution process. Hydrogen and oxygen isotopic data of the hot spring water samples indicate that the hot spring waters originated from the local meteoric water showing latitude and altitude effects. The ${\delta}^{34}S$ value for sulfate of the hot spring waters varies widely from 0.5 to $25.9%o$. The sulfur source of most hot spring waters in this area is igneous origin. However, The ${\delta}^{34}S$ also indicates the sulfur of JR1 hot water is originated from marine sulfur which might be derived ken ancient seawater sulfates. The $^3He/^4He\;and\;^4He/^{20}Ne$ ratios of the hot spring waters range from $0.0143{\times}10^{-6}\;to\;0.407{\times}10^{-6}\;and\;6.49{\sim}584{\times}10^{-6}$, respectively. The hot spring waters are plotted on the mixing line between air and crustal components. It means that the He gas in the hot spring waters was mainly originated from crustal sources. However, the JR1 hot spring water show a little mixing ratio of the helium gas of mantle source. The $^{40}Ar/^{36}Ar$ ratios of hot spring water are in the range from $292.3{\times}10^{-6}\;to\;304.1{\times}10^{-6}$, implying the atmospheric argon source.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.1476-1484
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• 2023

Laboratory experiments and point monitoring of reservoir sediments have proven that stable sulfate reduction (SSR) can lower the concentrations of toxic metals and sulfate in acidic groundwater for a long time. Here, we hypothesize that SSR occurred during in situ leaching after uranium mining, which can impact the fate of acid groundwater in an entire region. To test this, we applied a sulfur isotope fractionation method to analyze the mechanism for natural attenuation of contaminated groundwater produced by acid in situ leaching of uranium (Xinjiang, China). The results showed that δ³⁴S increased over time after the cessation of uranium mining, and natural attenuation caused considerable, area-scale immobilization of sulfur corresponding to retention levels of 5.3%-48.3% while simultaneously decreasing the concentration of uranium. Isotopic evidence for SSR in the area, together with evidence for changes of pollutant concentrations, suggest that area-scale SSR is most likely also important at other acid mining sites for uranium, where retention of acid groundwater may be strengthened through natural attenuation. To recapitulate, the sulfur isotope fractionation method constitutes a relatively accurate tool for quantification of spatiotemporal trends for groundwater during migration and transformation resulting from acid in situ leaching of uranium in northern China.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2001.04a
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• pp.19-21
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• 2001

The Shiheung mine was closed in 1972 and has been abandoned since then. Although some restoration work has been done, there still remain mine failings in and around the mine, posing a potential environmental hazard. Mine tailings and the porewater extracted from the tailing were investigated to see any evidence of elemental release and migration to adjacent groundwater and soil in the field. The pHs of the tailing range from 6.24 to 7.23. Calcite in the studied area seems to influence on such neutral pH range. Depth profile of mine tailing demonstrate elements have been leached and removed as a consequence of weathering during disposal. This is also supported by the findings from porewater analysis, corresponding the trends in the mine tailings. The concentrations of Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn in the tailing porewater exceed the standard value of EPA for drinking water and this implies groundwater can be contaminated through infiltration of the porewaters, which ultimately will be discharged as leachate from the mine tailing. Groundwater samples collected near the mine area do not show high metal concentrations, except for Fe, which were detected over drinking water standard.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.507-514
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• 2004

A sediment core drilled from Lake langer on King George Island was analyzed for a variety of textural md geochemical properties along with $^{14}C$ age dates. These data were combined with published records of other cores to provide a detailed history of Holocene variation of total organic carbon (TOC) contents with respect to terrestrial paleoclimate change. The lithologic contrast of the lower diamicton and upper fine-grained sediments shows the glacier activity and subsequent lake formation. Low TOC contents fluctuated during the diamicton deposition whereas the increase of TOC began with the lake formation during the postglacial period that started about 5,000 yr B.p More notable are the distinct TOC peaks that may imply enhanced primary productivity during the warm period. The uniform and low TOC contents may reflect the limited productivity during the evolution of the lake. However, the recent TOC readvance clearly indicates gradual warming on King George Island. However, the paleoclimatic signature in the terrestrial lake environment during the Holocene seems to be subtle and less distinct, compared to the marine environment.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.529-541
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• 2009

Hydrochemical, stable isotopic ($\delta^{18}O$ and dD) and noble gas isotopic analyses of seven hot spring water samples, eleven groundwater samples and six surface water samples collected from the Icheon and Pocheon area were carried out to find out hydrochemical characteristics, and to interpret the source of noble gases and the geochemical evolution of the hot spring waters. The hot spring waters show low temperature type ranging from 21.5 to $31.4^{\circ}C$ and the pH value between 6.69 and 9.21. Electrical conductivity of hot spring waters has the range from 310 to $735\;{\mu}S/cm$. Whereas the hot spring water in the Icheon area shows the geochemical characteristics of neutral pH, the $Ca-HCO_3$(or $Ca(Na)-HCO_3$) chemical type and a high uranium content, the hot spring water in the Pocheon area shows the characteristics of alkaline pH, the $Na-HCO_3$ chemical type and a high fluorine content. These characteristics indicate that the hot spring water in the Icheon area is under the early stage in the geochemical evolution, and that the hot spring water in the Pocheon area has been geochemically evolved. The $\delta^{18}O$ and ${\delta}D$ values of hot spring waters show the range of $-10.1{\sim}-8.69%o$ and from $-72.2{\sim}-60.8%o$, respectively, and these values supply the information of the recharge area of hot spring waters. The $^3He/^4He$ ratios of the hot spring waters range from $0.09\;{\times}\;10^{-6}$ to $0.65\;{\times}\;10^{-6}$ which are plotted above the mixing line between air and crustal components. Whereas the helium gas in the Icheon hot spring water was mainly provided from the atmospheric source mixing with the mantle(or magma) origin, the origin of helium gas in the Pocheon hot spring water shows a dominant crustal source. $^{40}Ar/^{36}Ar$ ratios of hot spring water are in the range of an atmosphere source.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.13-23
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• 2002

The chemical compositions of groundwaters from the granite areas mainly belong to Ca-HC0$_{3}$ and Na-HC0$_{3}$type, and some of these belong to Ca-(CI+S0$_{4}$) and Na-(CI+S0$_{4}$) type. Spring waters and groundwaters from anorthosite areas belong to Ca-HC03 and Na-HC03 type, respectively. The result of reaction path modeling shows that the chemical compositions of aqueous solution reacted with granite evolve from initial Ca-CI type, via CaHC0$_{3}$ type, to Na-HC0$_{3}$ type. The result of rain water-anorthosite interaction is similar to evolution path of granite reaction and both of these results agree well with the field data. In the reaction path modeling of rain watergranite/anorthosite reaction, as a reaction is progressing, the activity of hydrogen ion decreases (pH increases). The concentrations of cations are controlled by the dissolution of rock-forming minerals and precipitation and re-dissolution of secondary minerals according to the pH. The continuous addition of granite causes the formation of secondary minerals in the following sequence; gibbsite plus hematite, Mn-oxide, kaolinite, silica, chlorite, muscovite (a proxy for illite here), calcite, laumontite, prehnite, and finally analcime. In the anorthosite reaction, the order of precipitation of secondary minerals is the same as with granite reaction except that there is no silica precipitation and paragonite precipitates instead of analcime. The silica and kaolinite are predominant minerals in the granite and anorthosite reactions, respectively. Total quantities of secondary minerals in the anorthosite reaction are more abundant than those in the granite reaction.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.729-744
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• 2023

The value of lithium has significantly increased due to the rising demand for electric cars and batteries. Lithium is primarily found in pegmatites, hydrothermally altered tuffaceous clays, and continental brines. Globally, groundwater-fed salt lakes and oil field brines are attracting attention as major sources of lithium in continental brines, accounting for about 70% of global lithium production. Recently, deep groundwater, especially geothermal water, is also studied for a potential source of lithium. Lithium concentrations in deep groundwater can increase through substantial water-rock reaction and mixing with brines. For the exploration of lithim in deep groundwater, it is important to understand its origin and behavior. Therefore, based on a nationwide preliminary study on the hydrogeochemical characteristics and evolution of thermal groundwater in South Korea, this study aims to investigate the distribution of lithium in the deep groundwater environment and understand the geochemical factors that affect its concentration. A total of 555 thermal groundwater samples were classified into five hydrochemical types showing distinct hydrogeochemical evolution. To investigate the enrichment mechanism, samples (n = 56) with lithium concentrations exceeding the 90th percentile (0.94 mg/L) were studied in detail. Lithium concentrations varied depending upon the type, with Na(Ca)-Cl type being the highest, followed by Ca(Na)-SO₄ type and low-pH Ca(Na)-HCO₃ type. In the Ca(Na)-Cl type, lithium enrichment is due to reverse cation exchange due to seawater intrusion. The enrichment of dissolved lithium in the Ca(Na)-SO₄ type groundwater occurring in Cretaceous volcanic sedimentary basins is related to the occurrence of hydrothermally altered clay minerals and volcanic activities, while enriched lithium in the low-pH Ca(Na)-HCO₃ type groundwater is due to enhanced weathering of basement rocks by ascending deep CO₂. This reconnaissance geochemical study provides valuable insights into hydrogeochemical evolution and economic lithium exploration in deep geologic environments.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.157-167
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• 2012

This study aimed to interpret the provenance and firing temperature of pottery from Chipyeongdong site in Gwangju, Korea though mineralogical and geochemical methods and also investigated the post-depositional alteration of pottery in burial environments. It is also presumed that they were made of soils near the site because they have similar mineralogical composition and same geochemical evolution path. Based on the results of mineralogical analysis, the pottery samples are largely divided into 2 groups; $700^{\circ}C$ to $1,000^{\circ}C$ and 1,000 to $1,100^{\circ}C$. At some pottery fired at over $1,000^{\circ}C$, it is thought that the refinement of raw materials were processed to remove macrocrystalline fragments. However, it was found that phosphate in soil environments formed amorphous aggregates with Al and Fe within the pores and voids on pottery fired at the low temperature. It indicates the contamination of pottery after burial.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.155-169
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• 2003

In the northwest Okcheon metamorphic belt, the metaigneous rocks in the Gyemyeongsan Formation have wider chemical ranges for major, trace and REE elements compared with metaigneous rocks in the Munjuri Formation and do not represent bimodal igneous activity which is characteristic for a continental rifting. The metaigneous rocks in the Munjuri Formation are regarded as products of single magmatic evolution, whereas those in the Gyemyeongsan Formation may be formed through multiple magmatic episodes. The felsic metavolcanic rocks in the Gyemyeongsan Formation show weaker Eu negative anomalies compared with those in the Munjuri Formation but those in both formations show similar degrees of enrichment from LREE to HREE. The metabasites in the Munjuri Formation do not show Eu anomalies but those in the Gyemyeongsan Formation show both positive and negative Eu anomalies(0.59