• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.95-111
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• 2012

This study investigated the relationship between the geochemical environment and the occurrence of natural radioactive materials (uranium and Rn-222) in borehole groundwater at an Icheon site. The drill core recovered from the study site consists mainly of biotite granite with basic dykes. The groundwater samples were collected at four different depths in the borehole using the double-packed system. The pH range of the groundwater was 6.5~8.6, and the chemical type was Ca-$HCO_3$. The ranges of uranium and Rn-222 concentrations in the groundwater were 8.81~1,101 ppb and 5,990~11,970 pCi/L, respectively, and concentrations varied greatly with depth and collection time. The ranges of uranium and thorium contents in drill core were 0.53~18.3 ppm and 6.66~17.5 ppm, respectively. Microscope observations and electron microprobe analyses revealed the presence of U and Th as substituted elements for major composition of monazite, ilmenite, and apatite within K-feldspar and biotite. Although the concentration of uranium and thorium in the drill core was not high, the groundwater contained a high level of natural radioactive materials. This finding indicates that physical factors, such as the degree of fracturing of an aquifer and the groundwater flow rate, have a greater influence on the dissolution of radioactive materials than does the geochemical condition of the groundwater and rock. The origin of Rn-222 can be determined indirectly, using an interrelationship diagram of noble gas isotopes ($^3He/^4He$ and $^4He/^{20}Ne$).

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.491-508
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• 2002

While about 80% of Jeju soils are classified as Andisols, the soils derived from volcanic ash in Dangsanbong are not Andisols. There is a significant difference of precipitation in localities of Jeju island. The study area is characterized by the lowest amount of annual rainfall in Jeju Island, and by the layered silicates as dominant solid phase in clay fraction. The purpose of this study was to characterize the mineralogy of the non-Andie soils in detail, especially hydroxy-interlayered silicates. Two major soil horizons are recognized in the soil profile developed in the Dangsanbong area, which can be designated as A and C. The soil pH($H_{2}0$), ranges from 6.6 to 7.3 increasing with depth, is higher than that of typical Andisols(pH<6.0). While the pH(NaF), ranges from 9.49 to 9.81, indicates that significant amount of amorphous phases might be present as exchanging complexes. It is estimated to about 1.542.88 wt% by using chemical selective dissolution. The organic content of surface horizon is about 2 wt%. This soil are composed of quartz, feldspar and olivine as major constituents with minor of silicate clays. Quartz is frequently observed in A and distinctly decreases in its amount with depth, while olivine is dominant phase in C and rarely observed in A. In the <0.2$\mu\textrm{m}$ size fraction, smectite and kaolinite/smectite interstratification are dominant with minor of illite. The amounts of smectite decrease with depth, while the amounts of kaolinite/smecite interstratification increase with depth, which indicates the trend of mineral transformation with increasing the degree of weathering. The proportion of kaolinite in kaolinite/smectite interstratification is about 85%, and is not changed significantly through the profile. In the 2-0.2$\mu\textrm{m}$size fraction, vermiculite, smectite, illite and kaolinite are major components with minor of chlorite. Most of chlorite are interstratified with smectite. Chlorite which is not interstratified with smectite occurs only in surface horizon. The proportion of the chlorite in the chlorite/smectite interstratification is 59-70(%) and increases with depth. Hydroxy-interlayered vermiculite(HIV) with hydroxy-Fe/AI in their interlayers occurs in both A and C horizon. The amounts of hydroxy-Fe/AI decrease with depth. Hydroxy-interlayered smectite(HIS) of which interlayers might be composed of hydroxy-Mg/Al occurs only in C horizon. As the results of mineralogical investigation for the soil profile in the study area, clay minerals might be changed and evolved through the following weathering sequences: 1) Smectite Kaolinite, HIS, Vermiculite, 2) Vermiculite HIV Chlorite.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.347-360
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• 2007

In order to evaluate the degree and extent of heavy metal pollution and the environmental impacts of abandoned Cu mines in Goseong-gun, soils and paddies were collected from the mine area and have been analysed for heavy metal contents. The heavy metal contents were much higher in mountain soils than in paddy soils. Total content of heavy metals decreased in order of Cu>Zn>Pb>As>Cr>Cd in mountain soils whereas Zn>Pb>Cu>Cr>As>Cd in paddy soils. The extractable amount of heavy metals by 0.1/1N HCl decreased in order of Cu>Pb>Zn>As>Cd>Cr in mountain soils whereas Pb>Cu>Zn>As>Cd>Cr in paddy soils. Although the extraction ratios were highly various depending on the sampling site, their average values were in order of Cd(16%)>Pb(10%)>Cu(9%)>As(4.5%)>Zn-Cr(${\le}2.5%$). The soils investigated were enriched in heavy metals relative to the averages of earth crust as In order of $As{\ge}Cd$>Pb>Zn>Cu>Cr. Pollution index calculated from total or extractable heavy metals of soils indicated that the heavy metal pollution was restricted to mountain soils around abandoned Cu mines, especially the Samsan I mine. The metal contents of brown rice showed no significantly contaminated level as follows; As $nd{\sim}0.87mg/kg,\;Cd\;0.02{\sim}0.34mg/kg,\;Cu\;1.01{\sim}6.25mg/kg,\;Mn\;13.4{\sim}43.2mg/kg,\;Pb\;0.09{\sim}2.83mg/kg,\;and\;Zn\;16.5{\sim}79.1mg/kg$. From the extraction and dispersion properties of heavy metal with the soil pH ($4.5{\sim}7.8$), it can be deduced the conclusion that the heavy metal pollution is spreading in the study area mainly by the detrital migration of waste ore and gangue minerals rather than the dissolution and circulation of heavy metal.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.221-234
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• 2013

Laboratory experiments for the reaction with supercritical $CO_2$ under the $CO_2$ sequestration condition were performed to investigate the mineralogical and geochemical weathering process of the sandstones and mudstones in the Pohang basin. To simulate the supercritical $CO_2$-rock-groundwater reaction, rock samples used in the experiment were pulverized and the high pressurized cell (200 ml of capacity) was filled with 100 ml of groundwater and 30 g of powdered rock samples. The void space of the high pressurized cell was saturated with the supercritical $CO_2$ and maintained at 100 bar and $50^{\circ}C$ for 60 days. The changes of mineralogical and geochemical properties of rocks were measured by using XRD (X-Ray Diffractometer) and BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller). Concentrations of dissolved cations in groundwater were also measured for 60 days of the supercritical $CO_2$-rock-groundwater reaction. Results of XRD analyses indicated that the proportion of plagioclase and K-feldspar in the sandstone decreased and the proportion of illite, pyrite and smectite increased during the reaction. In the case of mudstone, the proportion of illite and kaolinite and cabonate-fluorapatite increased during the reaction. Concentration of $Ca^{2+}$ and $Na^+$ dissolved in groundwater increased during the reaction, suggesting that calcite and feldspars of the sandstone and mudstone would be significantly dissolved when it contacts with supercritical $CO_2$ and groundwater at $CO_2$ sequestration sites in Pohang basin. The average specific surface area of sandstone and mudstone using BET analysis increased from $27.3m^2/g$ and $19.6m^2/g$ to $28.6m^2/g$ and $26.6m^2/g$, respectively, and the average size of micro scale void spaces for the sandstone and mudstone decreased over 60 days reaction, resulting in the increase of micro pore spaces of rocks by the dissolution. Results suggested that the injection of supercritical $CO_2$ in Pohang basin would affect the physical property change of rocks and also $CO_2$ storage capacity in Pohang basin.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1337-1346
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• 2006

Soil humin is the insoluble fraction of humic materials and play an important roles in the irreversible sorption of hydrophobic organic contaminants onto soil particles. However, there have been limited knowledge about the sorption and chemical properties of humin due to the difficulties in its separation from the inorganic matrix(mainly clays and oxides). In this study, de-ashed soil humins($Hu_1-Hu_6$) were isolated from a soil residues(Crude Hu) after removing alkali-soluble organic fractions followed by consecutive dissolution of the mineral matrix with 2%-HF for 2 hr. The humin samples were characterized by elemental analysis and $^{13}C$ NMR spectroscopic method and their sorption-desorption behavior for 1-naphthol were investigated from aqueous solution. The results were compared one another and that with peat humin. $^{13}C$ NMR spectra features indicate that the soil humin molecules are mainly made up of aliphatic carbons(>80% in total carbon) including carbohydrate, methylene chain. Freundlich sorption parameter, n was increased from 0.538 to 0.697 and organic carbon-normalized sorption coefficient(log $K_{OC}$) values also increased from 2.43 to 2.74 as inorganic matrix of the soil humin removed by HF de-ashing. The results suggest that inorganic phase in humin plays an important, indirect role in 1-naphthol sorption and the effects on the sorption non-linearity and intensity are analyzed by comparison between the results of soil humin and peat humin. Sorption-desorption hysteresis were also observed in all the humin samples and hysteresis index(HI) at low solute concentration($C_e$=0.1 mg/L) are in order of Peat humin(2.67)>De-ashed humin(0.74)>Crude Hu(0.59).

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.39 no.1 s.176
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• pp.27-38
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• 2006

To understand the geologic and hydrogeochemical controls on the occurrence of high fluoride concentrations in bedrock groundwaters of South Korea, we examined a total of 367 hydrochemistry data obtained from deep groundwater wells (avg. depth=600 m) that were drilled fur exploitation of hot springs. The fluoride concentrations were generally very high (avg. 5.65mg/L) and exceeded the Drinking Water Standard (1.5 mg/L) in $72\%$ of the samples. A significant geologic control of fluoride concentrations was observed: the highest concentrations occur in the areas of granitoids and granitic gneiss, while the lowest concentrations in the areas of volcanic and sedimentary rocks. In relation to the hydrochemical facies, alkaline $Na-HCO_3$ type waters had remarkably higher F concentrations than circum-neutral to slightly alkaline $Ca-HCO_3$ type waters. The prolonged water-rock interaction occurring during the deep circulation of groundwater in the areas of granitoids and granitic gneiss is considered most important for the generation of high F concentrations. Under such condition, fluoride-rich groundwaters are likely formed through hydrogeochemical processes consisting of the removal of Ca from groundwater via calcite precipitation and/or cation exchange and the successive dissolution of plagioclase and F-bearing hydroxyl minerals (esp. biotite). Thus, groundwaters with high pH and very high Na/Ca ratio within granitoids and granitic gneiss are likely most vulnerable to the water supply problem related to enriched fluorine.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.255-263
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• 2015

To investigate the effect of the weathering process of biotite on Cs sorption, sorption experiment of Cs with $10^{-3}M$ solution was carried out on the biotite reacted at different reaction times at pH 2 and 4, and 1 M solutions of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Rb, and Cs. Peak changes were observed for some samples by XRD, indicating that new mineral phase formed by biotite weathering. Among several factors, cations in solutions have the most significant influence on the mineralogical changes. The samples reacted with Na showed the most outstanding change with increasing peak width and appearance of $12{\AA}$ peak and $14{\AA}$ peak. This new peaks indicate the formation of hydrobiotite and vermiculite. The new peaks had stronger peak intensity for the sample reacted at pH 4 than that at pH 2, probably due to the fast dissolution of small particles and edges and resultant decrease in the formation of expandable layers. The biotite reacted at Mg solution showed small intensity at $14{\AA}$. Based on XRD results, the degree of biotite weathering was in the order of Na, Mg, and Ca. The samples reacted with K, Rb, Cs solutions did not show noticeable mineralogical changes caused by weathering. The amount of sorbed Cs on weathered biotite showed close relationship with the degree of weathering indicated by XRD. At both pH 2 and 4, the biotite reacted with Na solution showed the highest Cs sorption, and those with Mg and Ca solutions showed the next highest ones. The sorbed amounts of Cs on the bitote reacted with K, Rb, Cs solutions were relatively low. This indicates that at the Cs concentration ($10^{-3}M$) which we used for this experiment and which was much higher than the maximum Cs concentration sorbed on the frayed edge site, expandable layer plays more important role than frayed edge. In the cases of K, Rb, and Cs solutions, Cs sorption was decreased because K is the same cations as the one in the interlayer or the sorption of Rb and Cs on the frayed edge prevents the formation of expandable layers.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.27-38
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• 2003

Arsenic contamination around Au-Ag mining areas occurs mainly from the oxidation of arsenopyrite which is frequently contained in mine tailings. In weathered tailings, oxidation of sulfide minerals typically results in the formation of abundant ferric (oxy)hydroxides or (oxy)hydroxysulfates near the tailings surface, and arsenic may be associated with these secondary precipitates. In this study, solid phases of arsenic in weathered tailings of some Au-Ag mines were investigated through the SEM/EDS and sequential extraction analyses. The stability of As solid phases and the leaching potential were assessed with the variation of pH and Eh conditions. Oxidation of sulfides in the tailings samples was indicated by depletion of S molar concentrations compared to As and heavy metals. Under XRD examinations, jarosite as an Fe-oxyhydroxysulfate was found in the tailings of Deokeum, Dongil and Dadeok, and scorodite as an As-bearing crystalline mineral was identified from Dadeok which has the highest concentration of As (4.36 wt.%). Beudantite-like phases and some Pb-arsenates were also found under SEM/EDS analysis, and most of As phases were associated with Fe-(oxy)hydroxides and (oxy)hydroxysulfates despite a few arsenopyrite from Samgwang and Gubong. Sequential extraction analysis also showed that As was present predominantly as coprecipitated with Fe hydroxides from Dongil, Dadeok and Myungbong (72∼99%), and as sulfides (58%) and Fe hydroxide-associated forms (40%) from Samgwang and Gubong. In the tailings leaching experiment, As was released with high amounts by the dissolution of As-bearing Fe(oxy)hydroxysulfates in the lowest pH (2.7) conditions of Deokeum, and by desorption under alkaline conditions of Samgwang and Gubong. Higher leaching rates of arsenite(+3) were found under acidic conditions, which pose a higher risk to water quality. Changes in pH and Eh conditions coupled with microbial processes could influence the stabilities of the As solid phases, and thus, time amendments or landfilling of weathered tailings may result in enhanced As mobilization.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.20 no.1 s.51
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• pp.7-19
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• 2007

Four types of fluid inclusions are trapped within tourmaline from Daeyou pegmatite, Jangsu-Gun, Jeonllabukdo. They range $5{\sim}100\;{\mu}m$ in size and are grouped into I, II, III, and IV based on the phase behavior at the room temperature: (1) Type I inclusions are liquid-rich and NaCl equivalent salinity ranged $0{\sim}12\;wt%$, and the homogenization temperatures (Th) ranged $181{\sim}230^{\circ}C$ with eutectic temperatures (Te) $-54{\sim}-22^{\circ}C$. (2) Type II inclusions are vapor-rich and salinity ranged $3{\sim}8\;wt%$ NaCl, and Th ranged $177{\sim}304^{\circ}C$ also showing Te $-54{\sim}-29^{\circ}C$. (3) Type III inclusions contain a halite daughter mineral with $31{\sim}40\;wt%$ NaCl, Th $230{\sim}328^{\circ}C$. More than 90% of Type III homogenize by halite dissolution and are spatially associated with silicate melt inclusions. (4) Type IV inclusions are $CO_{2}$-bearing containing various daughter minerals such as sylvite and/or halite. The density of $CO_{2}$ system within the Type IV is $0.80{\sim}0.75\;g/cm^{3}$, Th $190{\sim}317^{\circ}C$, and salinity $2{\sim}35\;wt%$ NaCl. Type III fluid inclusions, considered as the earliest fluid, formed from the fluid exsolved from the crystallizing pegmatite. It is suggested that Type II fluid in the central part of tourmaline were exsolved earlier than Type I fluids in the margin indicating salinity fluctuation during the growth of tourmaline. It implies the fluctuation of the pressure since the salinity of fluid exsolved from the crystallizing melt is governed by the pressure. The last fluid was Type IV, which may be derived from the nearby limestone and metasedimentary rocks. It is suggested that Daeyou pegmatite containing muscovite without miarolitic cavities was formed by the partial melting resulted from the regional metamorphism. Subsequently, the exsolving fluids from the crystallizing melt were trapped in tourmaline at high pressure condition. The exsolved fluids contain various components such as $CaCl_{2}\;and\;MgCl_{2}$ as well as NaCl and KCl. The exsolution began at least at $2.7{\sim}5.3\;kbar\;and\;230{\sim}328^{\circ}C$ with the pressure fluctuation.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.359-370
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• 2009

Arsenic and heavy metals leached out as a result of oxidation of tailings exposed to the surface pose a serious environmental contamination of mine areas. This study investigated how arsenic behavior is controlled by a variety of processes, such as oxidation of sulfides and formation or alteration of secondary minerals, based on mineralogical methods. The study was carried out using the tailing samples obtained from Nakdong mine located in Jeongseongun, Gangwondo. After separating magnetic and non-magnetic minerals using pretreated tailing samples, each mineral sample was classified according to their colors and metallic lusters observed by the stereoscopic microscope. Subsequently, the mineralogical properties were determined using various instrumental analyses, such as x-ray diffractometer (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and electron probe micro analyzer (EPMA). The literature review confirmed that various ore minerals were identified in the Nakdong ore deposits. In this study, however, there were observed a few original ore minerals as well as secondary and/or tertiary minerals newly formed as a result of weathering including oxidation. In particular, we did not recognize pyrrhotite which has been known to originally exist in a large abundance, but peculiarly colloform-type iron (oxy)hydroxides were identified, which indicates most of pyrrhotite has been altered by rapid weathering due to its large reactivity. In addition, a secondary scorodites filling the fissure of weathered primary arsenopyrites were identified, and it is speculated that arsenic is immobilized through such a alteration reaction. Also, we observed tertiary iron (oxy)hydroxides were formed as a result of re-alteration of secondary jarosites, and it suggests that the environment of tailing has been changed to high pH from low pH condition which was initiated and developed by oxidation reactions of diverse primary ore minerals. The environmental change is mainly attributed to interactions between secondary minerals and parental rocks around the mine. As a result, not only was the stability of secondary minerals declined, but tertiary minerals were newly formed. As such a process goes through, arsenic which was immobilized is likely to re-dissolve and disperse into surrounding environments.