• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.371-380
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• 2016

This study aims to identify the mineraloical and petrographical characteristics of caprock from drilling cores of Pohang basin as a potential $CO_2$ storage site. Experiments and modeling were conducted in order to investigate the geochemical and mineralogical caprock effects of carbon dioxide. A series of autoclave experiments were conducted to simulate the interaction in the $scCO_2$-caprock-brine using a high pressure and temperature cell at $50^{\circ}C$ and 100 bar. Geochemical and mineralogical alterations after 15 days of $scCO_2$-caprock-brine sample reactions were quantitatively examined by XRD, XRF, ICP-OES investigation. Results of mineralogical studies, together with petrographic data of caprock and data on the physicochemical parameters of brine were used for geochemical modeling. Modelling was carried out using the The Geochemist's Workbench 11.0.4 geochemical simulator. Results from XRD analysis for caprock sample showed that major compositional minerals are quartz, plagioclase, and K-feldspar, and muscovite, pyrite, siderite, calcite, kaolinite and montnorillonite were included on a small scale. Results from ICP-OES analysis for brine showed that concentration of $Ca^{2+}$, $Na^+$, $K^+$ and $Mg^{2+}$ increased due to dissolution of plagioclase, K-feldspar and muscovite. Results of modeling for the period of 100 years showed that the recrystallization of kaolinite, dawsonite and beidellite, at the expense of plagioclase and K-feldspar is characteristic. Volumes of newly precipitation minerals and minerals passing into brine were balanced, so the porosity remained nearly unchanged. Experimental and modeling results indicate the interaction between caprock and $scCO_2$ during geologic carbon sequestration can exert significant impacts in brine pH and solubility/stability of minerals.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.349-360
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• 2016

This study determined mineralogical characteristics and discussed the meaning of mineralogical changes of the lower Choseon Supergrouop in the Weondong area based on the field geological investigation and the drilling core description using X-ray diffraction (XRD) mineral quantification and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) observation. 100 samples with depth were collected from the core (250 m long) at a site in the study area. Especially, to investigate the changes from the upper Daegi Formation to the lower Hwajeol Formation, the samples were collected closely with the interval of about 0.3 m at this section. All samples were made into power using mortar for XRD. Mineral quantitative analysis was executed using Relative Intensity Ratio (RIR) method with corundum as an internal standard phase. Calcite, $2M_1$ illite and quartz are main constituents in most of samples. Dolomite and siderite are significantly observed in the Sesong Formation. As the results of quantitative analysis for the major minerals, the upper Daegi Formation is dominated by calcite with over 80%. The Sesong Formation includes high percentage of dolomite and siderite with the intercalation of thin layers containing high calcite and $2M_1$ illite contents. Hwajeol Formation is characterized by the alternation between thin layers of $2M_1$ illite and quartz-dominated layer (IQDL) and calcite-dominated layer (CDL). IQDL is more frequent in the lower part, whereas CDL is more common in the upper part. The boundary between Daegi Formation and the Sesong Formation is distinct, whereas the boundary between the Sesong Formation and the Hwajeol Formation tends to be changed gradually in mineralogy. The result of SEM observation shows that quartz and $2M_1$ illite are detrital, and a significant amount of calcite also shows detrital form with some recrystallized one, indicating that the repeated influx of terrestrial materials had changed the mineralogy of the shallow sea depositional environment in the early Paleozoic era.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.315-333
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• 2009

In this study, the hydrochemical and the isotopic characteristics of major streams in the Daejeon area were investigated during rainy and dry seasons. The stream water shows the electrical conductivity of the range of $37{\sim}527{\mu}s$/cm, and pH $6.21{\sim}9.83$. The chemical composition of stream waters can be grouped as three types: the upper streams of Ca(Mg)-$HCO_3$ type, Ca(Mg)-$SO_4(Cl)$ type of middle streams flowing through urban area, and Na(Ca)-$HCO_3$(Cl, $SO_4$) type of the down streams. Based on in-situ investigation, the high pH of stream waters flowing through urban area is likely to be caused by the inflow of a synthetic detergent discharging from the apartment complex. The electrical conductivity of stream waters at a dry season is higher than those of at a rainy season. We suggest that the hydro-chemical composition of stream waters in the Daejeon area was affected by the discharging water from the sewage treatment facilities and anthropogenic contaminants as well as the interaction with soil and rocks. ${\delta}D$ and ${\delta}^{18}O$ values of the stream waters show the relationship of ${\delta}D=6.45{\delta}^{18}O-7.4$, which is plotted at a lower area than global meteoric water line(GMWL) of Craig(1961). It is likely that this isotopic range results from the evaporation effect of stram waters and the change of an air mass. The isotope value shows an increasing trend from upper stream to lower stream, that reflects the isotopic altitude effect. The relationship between ${\delta}^{13}C$ and $EpCO_2$ indicates that the carbon as bicarbonate in stream water is mainly originated from $CO_2$ in the air and organic materials. The increasing trend of ${\delta}^{13}C$ value from upper stream waters to lower stream waters can be attributed to the following reasons: (1) an increasing dissolution of $CO_2$ gas from a contaminated air in downtown area of the Daejeon, and (2) the increment of an inorganic carbon of groundwater inflowed into stream by base flow. Based on the relationship between ${\delta}^{34}S$ and $SO_4$ of stream waters, the stream waters can be divided into four groups. $SO_4$ content increases as a following order: upper and middle Gab stream${\delta}^{34}S$ value decreases as above order. ${\delta}^{34}S$ value indicates that sulfur of stream waters is mainly originated from atmosphere, and is additionally supplied by pyrite source according to the increase of sulfate content. The sulfur isotope analysis of a synthetic detergent and sewage water as a potential source of the sulfur in stream waters is furtherly needed.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.381-392
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• 2018

This study examines strategies and implementation plans for commercializing $CO_2$ capture and storage, which is an effective method to achieve the national goal of reducing greenhouse gas. In order to secure cost-efficient business model of $CO_2$ capture and storage, we propose four key strategies, including 1) urgent need to select a large-scale storage site and to estimate realistic storage capacity, 2) minimization of source-to-sink distance, 3) cost-effectiveness through technology innovation, and 4) policy implementation to secure public interest and to encourage private sector participation. Based on these strategies, the implementation plans must be designed for enabling $CO_2$ capture and storage to be commercialized until 2030. It is desirable to make those plans in which large-scale demonstration and subsequent commercial projects share a single storage site. In addition, the plans must be able to deliver step-wised targets and assessment processes to decide if the project will move to the next stage or not. The main target of stage 1 (2019 ~ 2021) is that the large-scale storage site will be selected and post-combustion capture technology will be upgraded and commercialized. The site selection, which is prerequisite to forward to the next stage, will be made through exploratory drilling and investigation for candidate sites. The commercial-scale applicability of the capture technology must be ensured at this stage. Stage 2 (2022 ~ 2025) aims design and construction of facility and infrastructure for successful large-scale demonstration (million tons of $CO_2$ per year), i.e., large-scale $CO_2$ capture, transportation, and storage. Based on the achievement of the demonstration project and the maturity of carbon market at the end of stage 2, it is necessary to decide whether to enter commercialization of $CO_2$ capture and storage. If the commercialization project is decided, it will be possible to capture and storage 4 million tons of $CO_2$ per year by the private sector in stage 3 (2026 ~ 2030). The existing facility, infrastructure, and capture plant will be upgraded and supplemented, which allows the commercialization project to be cost-effective.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.431-449
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• 2015

The study area is located in the western part of the Precambrian stock type of Sancheong anorthosite complex, the Jirisan province of the Yeongnam massif, in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. We perform a detailed field geological investigation on the Sancheong anorthosite complex, and report the characteristics of lithofacies, occurrences, foliations, and research formation process and its mechanism of the Sancheong anorthosite complex. The Sancheong anorthosite complex is classified into massive and foliation types of Sancheong anorthosite (SA), Fe-Ti ore body (FTO), and mafic granulite (MG). Foliations are developed in the Sancheong anorthosite complex except the massif type of SA. The foliation type of SA, FTO, MG foliations are magmatic foliations which were formed in a not fully congealed state of SA from a result of the flow of FTO and MG melts and the kinematic interaction of SA blocks, and were continuously produced in the comagmatic differentiation. The Sancheong anorthosite complex is formed as the following sequence: the massive type of SA (a primary fractional crystallization of parental magmas under high pressure)${\rightarrow}$ the foliation type of SA [a secondary fractional crystallization of the plagioclase-rich crystal mushes (anorthositic magmas) primarily differentiated from parental magmas under low pressure]${\rightarrow}$the FTO (an injection by filter pressing of the residual mafic magmas in the last differentiation stage of anorthositic magmas into the not fully congealed SA)${\rightarrow}$the MG (a solidification of the finally residual mafic magmas). It indicates that the massive and foliation types of SA, the FTO, and the MG were not formed from the intrusion and differentiation of magmas which were different from each other in genesis and age but from the multiple fractionation and polybaric crystallization of the coeval and cogenetic magma.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.521-533
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• 2013

This study was initiated to evaluate the applicability of Si slag as an adsorbent via investigation of the main properties of Si slag as an adsorbent aw well as characterization of adsorption features between aqueous arsenic and Si slag. The specific surface area of Si slag was measured to be 6.71 $m^2/g$ which seems to be slightly higher than those of other slags, but relatively lower than those of iron (oxyhydr)oxides extensively used for arsenic controlling processes. The point of zero salt effect (PZSE) of Si slag determined by potentiometric titration appeared to be comparatively high (7.3), indicating the Si slag may be favorably used for adsorption of arsenic which predominantly exists as an oxy-anions. The results of adsorption isotherm indicate that regardless of arsenic species, Langmuir-type isotherm is the most suitable to simulate the adsorption of arsenic onto Si slag. With regard to pH-dependence of arsenic adsorption, the adsorption maxima of arsenite was centered at pH 7, and the adsorption was remarkably decreased in the other pH conditions. In the case of arsenate, on the other hand, the adsorption was highest at the lowest pH (4.0) and then gradually decreased with the increase of pH. Based on the results of kinetic experiments, it is likely that the adsorption of arsenite approached equilibrium within 2 hr, but it took about 8 hr for arsenate adsorption to be equilibrated. In addition, the Pseudo second order was evaluated to be most consistent with the empirical data of arsenic adsorption onto Si slag in this study. Under identical conditions, the affinity of arsenate onto Si slag was estimated to be nearly 6 times higher than that of arsenite.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.537-544
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• 2017

Stable carbon isotope ratio of carbon dioxide (${\delta}^{13}C_{CO2}$) is used as an important indicator in the researches for global climate change and carbon capture and sequestration technology. The ${\delta}^{13}C$ value has been usually analyzed with Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (IRMS). Recently, the use of Laser Absorption Spectrometry (LAS) is increasing because of the cost efficiency and field applicability. The purpose of this study was to suggest practical procedures to prepare laboratory reference gases for ${\delta}^{13}C_{CO2}$ analysis using LAS. $CO_2$ gas was adjusted to have the concentrations within the analytical range. Then, the concentration of $CO_2$ was assessed in a lab approved by the Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme and the ${\delta}^{13}C_{CO2}$ value was measured by IRMS. When the instrument ran over 12 hours, the ${\delta}^{13}C$ values were drifted up to ${\pm}10$‰ if the concentration of $CO_2$ was shifted up to 1.0% of relative standard deviation. Therefore, periodical investigation of analytical suitability and correction should be conducted. Because ${\delta}^{13}C_{CO2}$ showed the dependency on $CO_2$ concentration, we suggested the equation for calibrating the concentration effect. After calibration, ${\delta}^{13}C_{CO2}$ was well matched with the result of IRMS within ${\pm}0.52$‰.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.64-79
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• 2017

We have reported the petrographic properties on the soda straw primarily based on the field measurements and discussed the causes of their traits. 156 soda straws in district B of the Baeg-nyong Cave nominated with the natural monument No. 260 have been investigated to estimate physical, sedimentological and textural characteristics. The soda straws have an average length of 3.05 cm with a standard deviation of 1.7 cm and a mean diameter of 6.0 mm. This result shows that the average diameter of the soda straws measured in this study is thicker than previous reports by 20%. Although the drip rates of cave water from 85.3% of all the soda straws are exceedingly lower than 1 drop per 10 minutes, almost all soda straws have a dripping water. We firstly report growth lamina in the Korean soda straw from 85.3% of all samples, and this textural dominance indicates that the growth lamina are one of the common features of the soda straws at least in the study area. Secondary precipitations inside the soda straw were identified from 68.6%. Notably, the strong inverse correlation between growth lamina and secondary precipitates was represented from 70.5% of all samples. This finding might be explained by the seasonality of cave drip water supplied into the soda straws or the increased opacity caused by secondary precipitates. Based on petrograhic characteristics, the soda straws in the study area can be classified into normal and erratic types. Hopefully our results on the soda straws in Baeg-nyong Cave would provide a basis for the descriptions of soda straws from other caves and paleoclimatic applications.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.447-457
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• 2008

Laboratory tests for single plane sliding were conducted using the model rock slope to investigate the cut slope deformability and failure mechanism due to combined effect of engineering characteristics such as angle of sliding plane, water force, joint roughness and infillings. Also the possibility of prediction of slope failure through displacement monitoring was explored. The joint roughness was prepared in forms of saw-tooth type having different roughness specifications. The infillings was maintained between upper and lower roughness plane from zero to 1.2 times of the amplitude of the surface projections. Water force was expressed as the percent filling of tension crack from dry (0%) to full (100%), and constantly increased from 0% at the rate of 0.5%/min and 1%/min upto failure. Total of 50 tests were performed at sliding angles of $30^{\circ}$ and $35^{\circ}$ based on different combinations of joint roughness, infilling thickness and water force increment conditions. For smooth sliding plane, it was found that the linear type of deformability exhibited irrespective of the infilling thickness and water force conditions. For sliding planes having roughness, stepping or exponential types of deformability were predominant under condition that the infilling thickness is lower or higher than asperity height, respectively. These arise from the fact that, once the infilling thickness exceeds asperities, strength and deformability of the sliding plane is controlled by the engineering characteristics of the infilling materials. The results obtained in this study clearly show that the water force at failure was found to increase with increasing joint roughness, and to decrease with increasing filling thickness. It seems possible to estimate failure time using the inverse velocity method for sliding plane having exponential type of deformability. However, it is necessary to estimate failure time by trial and error basis to predict failure of the slope accurately.

• The Korean Journal of Petroleum Geology
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• v.10 no.1_2 s.11
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• pp.23-33
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• 2004

The Lago Sofia conglomerate in southern Chile is a lenticular unit encased within mudstone-dominated, deep-sea successions (Cerro Toro Formation, upper Cretaceous), extending from north to south for more than $120{\cal}km$. The Lago Sofia conglomerate is a unique example of long, gravelly deep-sea channels, which are rare in the modern environments. In the northern part (areas of Lago Pehoe and Laguna Goic), the conglomerate unit consists of 3-5 conglomerate bodies intervened by mudstone sequences. Paleocurrent data from these bodies indicate sediment transport to the east, south, and southeart. The conglomerate bodies in the northern Part are interpreted as the tributary channels that drained down the Paleoslope and converged to form N-S-trending trunk channels. In the southern part (Lago Sofia section), the conglomerate unit comprises a thick (> 300 m) conglomerate body, which probably formed in axial trunk channels of the N-5-trending foredeep trough. The well-exposed Lago Sofia section allowed for detailed investigation of sedimentary facies and large-scale architecture of the deepsea channel conglomerate. The conglomerate in Lago Sofia section comprises stratified conglomerate, massive-to-graded conglomerate, and diamictite, which represent bedload deposition under turbidity currents, deposition by high-density turbidity currents, and muddy debris flows, respectively. Paleocurrent data suggest that the debris flows originated from the failure of nearby channel banks or slopes flanking the channel system, whereas the turbidity currents flowed parallel to the orientation of the overall channel system. Architectural elements produced by turbidity currents represent vertical stacking of gravel sheets, lateral accretion of gravel bars, migration of gravel dunes, and filling of channel thalwegs and scoured hollows, similar to those in terrestrial gravel-bed braided rivers. Observations of large-scale stratal pattern reveal that the channel bodies are offset stacked toward the east, suggestive of an eastward migration of the axial trunk channel. The eastward channel migration is probably due to tectonic tilting related to the uplift of the Andean protocordillera just west of the Lago Sofia deep-sea channel system.