• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.341-352
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• 1997

Retention ponds have been dug along some of the motorways in France to minimize environmental pollution by keeping pollutants from spreading over the surrounding area. In order to study heavy metal pollution and diagenetic behaviour of sediments, eight core samples were collected from the bottom of a retention pond located along the A-71 motorway in Sologne. The metal concentrations in interstitial waters and extractable metal concentrations in sediment layers using sequential chemical extraction method were determined. The depth distributions of Pb, Zn and Cd concentrations in interstitial water and particulate sediments were studied, and distribution coefficients (KD) were also determined to investigate the environmental mobility of these elements. In addition. the index of geoaccumulation and the Fe-normalized enrichment factor were calculated to differentiate the natural accumulation from the anthropogenic pollution. The vertical concentration profiles of heavy metals in core sediments indicate that surface enrichments (0~2 cm) of Pb, Zn, Cd and organic carbon were always observed at each core sample, due to the early diagenesis. However, the major factor contributing to the accumulation of Cd at the sediment surface is attributed to the dissolution of Cd from polluted roadside soil during periods of rainstorms and its subsequent redeposition on the sediment surface after being carried to the retention pond. A comparison of the KD values indiactes that a decrease in the KD values for Pb and Zn was observed with depth while KD values for Cd increase. According to the KD values. the relative mobility of studied metals was determined as following: Mn>Zn>Cd>Pb, for the upper layer, and Mn>Cd>Zn>Pb, for the lower layers.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.547-555
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• 2000

The surface water in the upstream and midstream of Nakdong river, which is being used as tap water and industrial water supply in Daegu city and Kyungpook province, was analyzed in its water quality. In addition, the sediments of which was analyzed in terms of heavy metal and organic substance contents. All the sampling was done in the drought season for 2 days of June 22-23 and carried out in 10 sampling sites. The sites cover the whole Kyungpook provincial region, starting from Yangsam Bridge in Chyeong Ryang Provincial Park as the upper end, to the Ko Ryung Bridge as the lower end sampling site of Nakdong river that flows through Kyungpook province. The 22 items including $NH^{+}_{4}$, $NO^{-}_{2}$ and COD were analyzed for surface water and 11 items including organic constituents(trichloroethylene, etc) and heavy metals were analyzed for sediments. The sediments samples were analyzed by elution testing method and acid dissolution method and then the results were compared with each other. All heavy metals in samples were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy(ICP-AES) and other constituents were analyzed by standard testing methods of the Korean Ministry of Environment.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.78-86
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• 2009

Applicability of CaO and steel slag as stabilizers in the treatment of field and paddy soils near Pungjeong mine contaminated with arsenic and cationic heavy metals was investigated from batch and column experiments. Immobilization of heavy metals was evaluated by TCLP dissolution test. Immobility of heavy metal ions was less than 15% when steel slag alone was used. This result suggests that $Fe_2O_3$ and $SiO_2$, known as the major component of steel slag, have little effect for the immobilization of heavy metal ions due to acidity of TCLP solution. Immobilization of cationic heavy metals was little affected by the ratio of CaO and steel slag while arsenic removal was increased as the ratio of steel slag to CaO increased. In the column test, concentrations of both arsenic and cationic heavy metals in effluents were below the water discharge guideline over the entire reaction period. This result can be explained by the immobilization of cationic heavy metals from the increased pH in soil solution as well as by the formation of insoluble $Ca_3(AsO_4)_2$. From this work, it is possible to suggest that arsenic and cationic heavy metals can be concurrently stabilized by application of both CaO and steel slag.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.133-142
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• 2004

The purpose of this study is to evaluate a laboratory test on arsenic removal effciency for ARD(Acid Rock Drain-age) using limestone and apatite, and on heavy metals removal efficiencies for AMD(Acid Mine Drainage) using apatite and fish bone. As a result of the laboratory test, pH, arsenic removal rate of limestone & apatite are inversely proportional to flow rates and apatite removes 100% of arsenic while limestone removes 37% of arsenic at 0.6$m{ell}$/min/kg flow rate in case of ARD treatment. And the dissolution amount of apatite is twenty five times higher than that of limestone. In case of AMD treatment, fish bone shows higher dissolution rate than apatite, and pH of outlet water reacted with fish bone is higher than that reacted with apatite. The heavy metal removal rates of fish bone are also higher than that of apatite except arsenic removal rate. The precipitate resulted from fish bone reaction with AMD seems to be biological sludge type while that resulted from apatite with AMD is inorganic solid which can settle easily compared with the biological sludge and can be cemented by gypsum. As the results, apatite can be used as a precipitant for the polluted mine waters showing wide range of pH and fish bone can be used for highly contaminated AMD.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.19-31
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• 2011

This study had been carried out to investigate spatial and temporal variations of the concentrations of trace metals for contaminated surface water in creek affected by leachate from the tailings impoundment of the Yeonhwa II mine for about 2 years. It was also to ascertain the metal removal efficiency for potentially deleterious metals by the artificial and natural attenuation processes such as retention ponds and hydrologic mixing of uncontaminated tributaries. The concentrations of As, Pb, Cd, and Cu for leachate in the rainy season were not detected. On the other hand, the concentrations of Zn, Fe, Mn, Al, and $SO_4^{2-}$ in the rainy season for leachate were 2-66 times higher than those in the dry season, due to the oxidation of the sulfide minerals and the dissolution of the secondary minerals. The concentrations of Zn and Cd for leachate and surface water of the upper creek in the rainy season exceeded the criteria of River Water Quality and Drinking Water Quality but in the dry season, those of analyzed all the metals (As, Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Cd, Fe, Mn, and Al) for surface water sampled at the study area were below the criteria of River Water Quality and Drinking Water Quality. In regard of the attenuation efficiency for the concentrations of metals, Fe, Mn, Al, Zn, Cd, As, and Cu were removed highly at retention ponds, while the removal efficiency for major cations and sulfate ($SO_4^{2-}$) were related to mixing of the uncontaminated tributaries. Therefore, the major attenuation processes of the metal and sulfate contents in creek affected by leachate from a tailing dump were precipitation (accompanied by metal co-precipitation and sorption), water dilution, and neutralization.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2004.09a
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• pp.72-75
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• 2004

The potential of electrokinetic (EK) technology has been successfully demonstrated for the remediation of heavy metal contaminated fine-grained soils through laboratory scale and field application studies. Arsenic contamination in soil is a serious problem affecting both site use and groundwater quality. The EK technology was evaluated for the removal of arsenic from two soil samples: kaolinite clay artificially contaminated with arsenic and arsenic-bearing tailing soil taken from the Myungbong (MB) mining area. The effect of cathodic electrolyte on the process was investigated using three different types of electrolyte: deionized water (DIW), potassium phosphate (KH$_2$PO$_4$) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The result of experiments on the kaolinite clay shows that the potassium phosphate was most effective in extracting arsenic, probably resulting from anion exchange of arsenic species by phosphate. On the contrary, the sodium hydroxide seemed to be most efficient in removing arsenic from the tailing soil, and it is explained by the fact that sodium hydroxide increased the soil pH and accelerated ionic migration of arsenic species through increase in desorption and dissolution of arsenic species into pore water.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.553-565
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• 2002

Seasonal variations in vertical distributions of metals were investigated in the contaminated paddy soils around Siheung Cu-Pb-Zn and Deokeum Au-Ag mines. Geochemical behavior of metals was also evaluated with respect to redox changes during the cultivation of rice. Two microcosms simulating the rice-growing paddy field were set up in the laboratory. The raw paddy soils from two sites showed differences in mineralogy, metal concentrations and gecochemical parameters, and it is suggested that high proportions of exchangeable fractions in metals may give high dissolution rates at Deokeum. In both microcosms of Siheung and Deokeum, redox differences between surface and subsurface of paddy soils were maintained during the flooded period of 18 weeks. Siheung soil had neutral to alkaline pH conditions, while strongly acidic conditions and high Eh values were found at the surface soil of Deokeum. The concentrations of dissolved Fe and Mn were higher in the subsurface pore waters than in interface and upper waters from both microcosms, indicating reductive dissolution under reducing conditions. On the contrary, dissolved Pb and Zn had high concentrations at the surface under oxidizing conditions. From the Siheung microcosm, release of dissolved metals into upper waters was decreased. presumably by the trap effect of Fe- and Mn-rich layers at the interface. However, in the Deokeum microcosm, significant amounts of Pb and Zn were released into upper water despite the relatively lower contents in raw paddy soil, and seasonal variations in the chemical fractionation of metals were observed between flooded and drained conditions. Under acidic conditions, rice may uptake high amounts of metals from the surface of paddy soils during the flooded periods, and increases of exchangeable phases may also increase the bioavailability of heavy metals in the drained conditions.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.23-36
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• 2006

Experimental leaching of tailings was performed as a function of times (1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 21 and 30 days) in the laboratory using reaction solutions equilibrated to three different pH set-points (pHs 1,3 and 5). The initial pHs of 5 and 3 stabilized at either 4.6-6.1 or 2.8-3.5 in 2 days and decrease gradually with time afterwards. The results of the leaching tests indicate that the significant increase in the sulfate concentrations and in acidity after 7 days of leaching results from the oxidation of sulfide minerals. There were no significant variations in the extractable Pb found in the leach solutions of pH 5 and 3 within the reaction time (1-30 days), while Zn, Cd and Cu concentrations tend to significantly increase with time. In tailings leaching at an initial pH=1, two trends were observed: i) The 'Zn-type' (Zn, Cd and Cu), with increasing concentrations between days 1 and 30, corresponding to the expected trend when continuous dissolution is the dominant process, ii) the 'Pb-type' (Pb), with decreasing concentrations over time, suggesting rapid dissolution of a Pb source followed by the precipitation of 'anglesite' in relation to the large increase in dissolved sulfates. The high sulfate concentrations were coupled with high concentrations of released Fe, Zn and Cd. Release of Zn and Cd and acidity from these leaching experiments can potentially pose adverse impact to surface and groundwater qualities in the surrounding environment. The kinetic problems could be the important factor which leads to increasing concentrations of trace metals in the runoff water.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Groundwater Environment
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.41-53
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• 1997

Geochemical data of soil and water samples were presented in order to assess the environmental impart for drinking water sites. Microscopic observation of rock samples and physical and chemical analysis of soil and water samples were undertaken. The geology of study areas are classified into three groups such as granitic rocks, meta-sedimentary rocks and sedimentary rocks. Enrichment of heavy metals derived from those rocks is not found in this study areas. Soils were analyzed for Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd and Cr using AAS extracted by HNO$_3$+HClO$_4$ and 0.1 N HCl. Heavy metal concentrations in soils are within the range of those in uncontaminated soils. In comparison of metal contents extracted by 0.1 N HCl and HNO$_3$+HC1O$_4$, less than 10% of the heavy metals are present in the exchangeable fraction. In particular, an pollution index has been proposed to assess the degree of soil contamination. Pollution index in soils are between 0.03 and 0.47 therefore, soils are not polluted with heavy metals. Deep groundwaters within granitic rocks have been evolved into Na$\^$＋/-HCO$_3$$\^$-/ type, whereas other deep groundwaters evolved into Ca$\^$2＋/-HCO$_3$$\^$-/ type. The predominance of Na$\^$＋/ over Ca$\^$2＋/ in deep groundwaters within granitic rocks is a result of dissolution of plagioclase, but for sedimentary and meta-sedimentary rocks, dissolution of calcite is a dominant factor for their hydrogeochemistry. The pH, conductivity and contents of the most dissolved ions in the water increase with depth. Shallow groundwaters, however, are highly susceptible to pollution owing to agricultural activities, considering the fact that high contents of nitrate, chloride and potassium, and high K/Na ratio are observed in some shallow groundwaters. In a thermodynamic approach, most natural water samples are plotted within the stability fields of kaolinite and smectite. Therefore, microcline and other feldspars will alter to form clay minerals, such as kaolinite and smectite. From the modelling for water-rock interactions based on mass balance equation, models accord well with behavior of the ions and results of thermodynamic studies are derived.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.469-480
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• 2003

Laboratory leaching experiment study carried out to estimate a extent of heavy metals that could be leached out when acid rain(pH 5.0-3.0) and strong acidic solution(pH 2.5-1.0) reacted with tailings and contaminated soils from abandoned metal mines. In slightly to moderately acid conditions(pH 5.0-3.0), As, Pb and Zn dissolutions became significantly increased with decreased pH in tailing, while dissolution of these elements was very limited in contaminated soil. These results suggested that moderately acid rainwater leaches Pb, As and Zn from the tailings, while these elements would remain fixed in contaminated soil. In the pH range of 2.5-1.0(strongly acid condition), Zn, Cd and Cu concentrations of leachate rapidly increased with decreased pH in contaminated soil, while Pb, As and Co dissolutions became importantly increased in tailings. The experimental solubility of Zn. Cd and Cu was very low even at very low pH values(up to pH 1), except for CY4(Cheongyang mine). These can result from an incomplete dissolution or the presence of less soluble mineral phases. So, the solubility of heavy metals depends not only on the pH values of leachate but also on the speciation of metals associated with contaminated soils and tailings. The relative mobility of each element within failings at the pH 5.0-3.0 of the reaction solution was in the order of Pb>Zn>Cd>Co=Cu>As. In case of pH 2.5-1.0 of the reaction solution, the relative mobility of each element within contaminated soils and tailings were in the order of Zn＞Cd>Cu>Co>Pb=As for contaminated soils, and Pb>Zn>Cd>hs>Co>Cu for tailings. The obtained results could be useful for assessing the environmental effects and setting up the restoration plan in the areas.