• 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 Life Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 1997

For screening thermostable $\alpha$-amylase from thermophiles, various samples from extreme environments such as hot spring and sewage near them, and compoat, wereexamined microbial growth in enrichment culture medium at 55$\circ$C on the assumption that enzymes from thermophiles are inevitable thermostable. One strain showing higher $\alpha$-amylase activity was pure cultured and designated as Bacillus sp. TR-25 from the results of morphological, cultural and physiological characteristics. The most important carbon sourses for the enzyme production were soluble starch, dextrin, potato starch and corn starch. Glucose and fructose had a catabolite repression on the enzyme production. The good nitrogen sources for the enzyme production were yeat extract, nutrient broth, tryptone, corn steep liquor and ammonium sulfate. The enzyme production was accelerated by addition of CaCl$_{2}$. $\cdot $ H$_{2}$O. The optimal medium composition for the enzyme production was soluble starch 2.0%, yeast extract 0.55, CaCl$_{2}$ $\cdot $ 2H$_{2}$O 0.015, Tween 80 0.001%, pH8.0, respectively. In jar fermenter culture, this strain shows a rapid growth and required cheaper carbon and nitrogen source. These properties are very useful to fermentation industry. The $\alpha$-amylase of this strain demonstrated a maximum activity at 80$\circ$C, pH 5.0, respectively. And calcium ion did not improve thermostability of the enzyme. At 10$0^{\circ}C$, this enzyme has 235 of relative activity. Transformation was carried out by thermophilic Bacillus sp. TR-25 genomic DNA. As a result, the transformant has increased thermostable $\alpha$-amylase activity.