• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.32-44
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• 2005

314 pumping test data of the National Groundwater Monitoring Wells (NGMWs) are analyzed to present statistical properties of fractured-rock and alluvial aquifers of Korea such as distribution of hydraulic conductivity, empirical relations between transmissivity and specific capacity, and time-drawdown patterns of pumping and recovery test. The mean hydraulic conductivity of alluvial aquifers (1.26 m/day) is 17 times greater than that of fractured-rock aquifers (0.076 m/day). Hydraulic conductivity of fracture-rock aquifers ranges in value over 4 orders of magnitude which coincide with representative values of fractured crystalline rocks and shows distinctive differences among rock types with the lowest values for metamorphic rocks and the highest values for sedimentary rocks. In consideration of the estimated transmissivity with some simplifying assumptions, it Is likely that $32\%$ of groundwater flow for NGMWs would occur through fractured-rock aquifers and $68\%$ through alluvial aquifers. Based on 314 pairs of data, empirical relations between transmissivity and specific capacity are presented for both fractured-rock and alluvial aquifers. Depending on time-drawdown patterns during pumping and recovery test, NGMWs are classified into $4\~5$ types. Most of NCMWs $(83.7\%)$ exhibit the recharge boundary type, which call be attributed to sources of water supply such as streams adjacent to the pumping well, the vertical groundwater flux between fractured-rock and the alluvial aquifers, and the delayed yield associated with gravity drainage occurring in unconfined aquifers.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.55-64
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• 2007

An analytical method using ion-exchange chromatography was developed for simultaneous quantification of low-molecularweight organic acids ($C_1-C_6$ aliphatic carboxylic acids) and inorganic anions, and then applied to the assessment of ground water contaminated by leachates from a municipal solid waste landfill. Peak interferences of halide ions to organic acids were removed by pretreatment of water samples with Ag-containing cartridges. This method allowed accurate detection of low-molecular weight organic acids (i.e., formate, acetate, propionate, pyruvate, succinate, and oxalateas) low as 0.5 mg/L with a linear dynamic range up to 20 mg/L within 11 min run time along with typical inorganic anions. High level of pyruvate and low level of formate and acetate were detected in groundwater and landfill leachates using the analytical method. Pyruvate concentration in groundwater showed a significant correlation with concentrations of $Cl^-$ and $HCO_3^-$, and pyruvate levels decreased along the downgradient from the landfill, indicating the sources of pyruvate are landfill leachate.

• 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.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.13-17
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• 2017

Over 30% of domestic soil contamination has occurred via petroleum products and complex oil. Moreover, contamination by complex oil is more intense than it is by a single petroleum product species. In this study, we analyzed sectional TPH (total petroleum hydrocarbon) pattern and sectional ratio of current domestically distributed petroleum products, such as kerosene, diesel, bunker C, and lubricant and complex oils, to determine pollution characteristics of the soil. In the TPH pattern, kerosene, which is a light distillate, had an early retention time, and lubricant oil, which is a heavy distillate, had a late retention time in the gas chromatogram. In addition, we obtained a complexly contaminated soil via diesel and lubricant oil from the Navy and inspected it for its ratio of complex oil species. The inspection results showed that this soil was contaminated with 85% diesel and 15% lubricant oil. The method developed in this study could be used to determine complex petroleum sources and ratios at sites with accidentally contaminated soil.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.697-700
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• 2005

Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) system can be very cost-effective and renewable energy sources, depending on site-specific parameters and load characteristics. In order to develop an ATES system which has certain hydrogeological characteristics, understanding of the thermo hydraulic processes of an aquifer is necessary for a proper design of an aquifer heat storage system under given conditions. The thermo hydraulic transfer for heat storage is simulated using FEFLOW according to two sets of pumping and waste water reinjection scenarios of heat pump operation in a two layered confined aquifer. In the first set of model, the movement of the thermal front and groundwater level are simulated by changing the locations of injection and pumping well in seasonal cycle. However, in the second set of model the simulation is performed in the state of fixing the locations of pumping and injection well. After 365 days simulation period, the temperature distribution is dominated by injected water temperature and the distance from injection well. The small temperature change is appears on the surface compared to other slices of depth because the first layer has very low porosity and the transfer of thermal energy are sensitive at the porosity of each layer. The groundwater levels and temperature changes in injection and pumping wells are monitored to validate the effectiveness of the used heat pump operation method and the thermal interference between wells is analyzed.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.103-107
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• 2008

In this work, soil environment policy which should be taken into account at brownfield redevelopment projects was deduced from investigation on their environmental impact assessment statements. Soil contamination sources such as small-scale factories were found at a few large-scale brownfield projects, so contaminated soils did often exist at these sites. Especially, military facilities within the sites caused severe soil contamination problems. Therefore, soil environment policy was presented in detail to solve soil contamination problem at brownfield redevelopment projects. Furthermore, land-use planning focusing on greening (soil and vegetation) should be pursued at brownfield redevelopment projects in order to maximize environmental benefits of greenspace.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.12-17
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• 2013

Heavy metal contamination of soil and water from industrial sources remains a worldwide environmental concern. Concentrations of toxic metals were measured in soil from banks of the Han and Anyang rivers. Pre-monsoon samples contained the highest heavy metal concentrations (Cu > As > Pb > Cd > $Cr^{6+}$; up to 57.80, 38.23, 25.43, 2.21, 0.32 mg/kg, respectively), but concentrations decreased at all sites during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. Higher heavy metal concentrations in pre-monsoon samples may be attributed to dust pollution, especially from roads near the river. A gradual reduction in heavy metal concentrations during the rainy season may be due to washing out. The high concentration of metals could cause health problems, especially in residential areas.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.1-16
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• 2018

Recent development of lithium ion batteries for vehicles industries have led to a boom in lithium exploration and development for the new generation of batteries. One of the cheapest sources of lithium is the brines hosted in the aquifers of the arid intermontane-closed salar basins. Because the resource is a fluid, with the attendant problems of in-aquifer mixing, reorganization, and lower recovery factors compared with most metalliferous and industrial mineral deposits due to reliance on pumping of the brine from wells for extraction, existing codes for filing resource and reserve estimates require new approach for these prospects. Evaluation of brine resources is complex and requires participation of a variety of qualified experts such as hydrogeologists, geologists, geochemists and chemical engineers. The technical reports disclosing the results of these estimates should reflect the inputs of multi-disciplinary approaches. The requirements for brine resource and reserve evaluation, drawing on several examples from the experiences in the Central Andes are reviewed in this paper.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2006.05a
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• pp.1802-1806
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• 2006

It is important to consider the effects of land-use changes on surface runoff, stream flow, and groundwater recharge. Expansion of urban areas significantly impacts the environment in terms of ground water recharge, water pollution, and storm water drainage. Increase of impervious area due to urbanization leads to an increase in surface runoff volume, contributes to downstream flooding and a net loss in groundwater recharge. Assessment of the hydrologic impacts or urban land-use change traditionally includes models that evaluate how land use change alters peak runoff rates, and these results are then used in the design of drainage systems. Such methods however do not address the long-term hydrologic impacts of urban land use change and often do not consider how pollutants that wash off from different land uses affect water quality. L-THIA (Long-Term Hydrologic Impact Assessment) is an analysis tool that provides site-specific estimates of changes in runoff, recharge and non point source pollution resulting from past or proposed land-use changes. It gives long-term average annual runoff for a land use configuration, based on climate data for that area. In this study, the environmental and hydrological impact from the urbanized basin had been examined with GIS L-THIA in Korea.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2000.05a
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• pp.28-32
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• 2000

There are many different chemical pollutants that originate from atmospheric deposition and transportational activities along roads. This paper review the characteristics of heavy metal pollution, relationships between land use and pollutant load in urban area. Four land use areas in Seoul were selected for sampling and study with different characteristics during the period from April 1998 and February 2000. A series of studies have been carried out concerning the physicochemical characteristics of the sediments settling down in a gully pot to evaluate the contamination for heavy metals. The sediment samples from gully pots were characterized by the chemical extraction experiments. Sediments are characterized by very high concentrations of heavy metals, probably because of a long-term accumulation of vehicle- and industrial-related pollutants. The characteristics of heavy metal pollution show that each land use has different sources of contaminations. Mean Zn concentration in Yeouido and Junggu areas is 2-3 times higher than those in Dobonggu area. This suggests that Zn may be derived from the source of automobile traffic. The mean concentrations of Cu and Cr are very significantly high in Junggu and Gurogu areas and indicate that the industrial activities may contribute to the accumulation of Cu and Cr in sediments. The low Pb levels throughout the whole study areas in Seoul can be accounted for the use of unleaded gasoline since 1987.