• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.289-301
• /
• 2005

Groundwater level drawdown of the first stage resulted from groundwater leakage into tunnel was predicted by an analytical approximation. And numerical modeling was performed to predict the flow rates into tunnel and the groundwater level decline in the vicinity of future proposed tunnel area using a groundwater flow model MODFLOW. Groundwater level of the first stage was predicted to decrease by 15.3 m in analytical approximation. The flow rates in the total length of the future tunnel, when it is excavated, would be approximately $1,870m^3/day$ in numerical model. The model predicts that the groundwater levels in the area around the future tunnel are expected to drop between 5 to 25 m relative to current groundwater levels. Under condition for a $50\%$ tunnel conductance increase, the flow rate was estimated to be $2,518m^3/day$ and the groundwater level drawdown was predicted to be between 5 to 35 m The flow rate and the predicted groundwater level drawdown under a $2,518m^3/day$ tunnel conductance decrease was estimated to be $1,273m^3/day$ and between 2 to 12 m.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.111 no.3
• /
• pp.418-427
• /
• 2022

Our aim was to evaluate the quality of pine seeds after long-term storage and to analyze the correlation between germination and physiological characteristics. Therefore, we investigated the germination and physiological characteristics of seeds stored for different periods and storage temperatures. Pine seeds lost little viability and vigor after 12 years of storage at 4℃; it is even possible to prolong the storage period at -18℃. The deterioration process operating through long-term storage was characterized by a loss of seed vigor before a loss in seed viability. Electrical conductivity of the seed leachate was significantly higher in seeds that completely lost their viability, and was also found to be significantly correlated with the germination percentage, T50, mean germination time, and germination speed. Among the minerals leaked to the leachate, K had the highest concentration, followed by Na, Ca, Cu, Mg, and Fe, while Mn and Zn were not detected. Concentrations of K, Ca, Cu, Mg, and Fe in the leachate differed significantly by treatment, and in the cases of K, Ca, Cu, Na, and Mg, we observed large differences in the leachate between the seeds that were collected in 2003 and those collected in other years.. Germination percentage was significantly negatively correlated to the concentrations of Ca, Cu, K, Mg, and Na. The coefficient of uniformity of germination was significantly negatively correlated to Cu concentration. The other germination characteristics were not significantly correlated with the mineral concentration. Therefore, the mineral concentrations of pine seed leachate were not reliable indicators of seed deterioration when the differences in quality between seed lots were small. However, electrical conductivity could be an indicator of seed viability and vigor of pine seeds under long-term storage.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.55 no.4
• /
• pp.407-419
• /
• 2022

Soil(vadose zone) gas compositions were measured for about 3 days to suggest a method for monitoring and interpreting soil gas data collected around wells from which methane(CH₄) is outflowing. The vadose zone gas samples were collected within 1 m around two test wells(TB2 and TB3) at Pohang and analyzed for CO₂, CH₄, N₂ and O₂ concentrations in situ. CO₂ flux was measured beside TB2. In addition, gas samples from well head in TB2 and atmospheric air samples were collected for comparison. Carbon isotopes of CO₂(δ¹³C_CO2) of samples collected on the last day of the study period were analyzed in the laboratory. The two test wells (TB2 and 3) were 12.7 m apart and only TB3 was cemented to the surface. According to the bio-geochemical process-based interpretation, the relationships between CO₂ and O₂, N₂, and N₂/O₂ of vadose zone gas were plotted between the lines of CH₄ oxidation and CO₂ dissolution. In addition, the CH₄ concentrations of gas samples from the wellhead of the uncemented well (TB2) were 5.2 times higher than the atmospheric CH₄ concentration. High CO₂ concentrations (average 1.148%) of vadose zone gas around TB2 seemed to be attributed to the oxidation of CH₄. On the other hand, the vadose zone CO₂ around the cemented well(TB3) showed a relatively low concentration(0.136%). This difference indicates that the vadose zone gas(including CO₂) around the CH₄ outflowing well were strongly affected by well completion(cementing). This study result can be used to establish strategies for environmental monitoring of soil around natural gas sites, and can be used to monitor leakage around injection and observation wells for CO₂ geological storage. In addition, the method of this study is useful for soil monitoring in natural gas storage and oil-contaminated sites.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.217-246
• /
• 2018

During the selection and characterization of target formations in the Small-scale Offshore $CO_2$ Storage Demonstration Project in the Pohang Basin, we have carefully investigated the possibility of induced earthquakes and leakage of $CO_2$ during the injection, and have designed the storage processes to minimize these effects. However, people in Pohang city have a great concern on $CO_2$-injection-intrigued seismicity, since they have greatly suffered from the 5.4 magnitude earthquake on Nov. 15, 2017. The research team of the project performed an extensive self-investigation on the safety issues, especially on the possible $CO_2$ leakage from the target formation and induced earthquakes. The target formation is 10 km apart from the epicenter of the Pohang earthquake and the depth is also quite shallow, only 750 to 800 m from the sea bottom. The project performed a pilot injection in the target formation from Jan. 12 to Mar. 12, 2017, which implies that there are no direct correlation of the Pohang earthquake on Nov. 15, 2017. In addition, the $CO_2$ injection of the storage project does not fracture rock formations, instead, the supercritical $CO_2$ fluid replaces formation water in the pore space gradually. The self-investigation results show that there is almost no chance for the injection to induce significant earthquakes unless injection lasts for a very long time to build a very high pore pressure, which can be easily monitored. The amount of injected $CO_2$ in the project was around 100 metric-tonne that is irrelevant to the Pohang earthquake. The investigation result on long-term safety also shows that the induced earthquakes or the reactivation of existing faults can be prevented successfully when the injection pressure is controlled not to demage cap-rock formation nor exceed Coulomb stresses of existing faults. The project has been performing extensive studies on critical stress for fracturing neighboring formations, reactivation stress of existing faults, well-completion processes to minimize possible leakage, transport/leakage monitoring of injected $CO_2$, and operation procedures for ensuring the storage safety. These extensive studies showed that there will be little chance in $CO_2$ leakage that affects human life. In conclusion, the Small-scale Offshore $CO_2$ Storage Demonstration Project in the Pohang Basin would not cause any induced earthquakes nor signifiant $CO_2$ leakage that people can sense. The research team will give every effort to secure the safety of the storage site.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.64-71
• /
• 2017

The study was performed on the effects of crop load of pear (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai) trees on shoot growth, reserved nutrients, and fruit production for two years, as well as regrowth of cuttings treated with various cold temperatures in 2012 and 2013. Crop load adjustments included three levels of fruiting; 54 (60%), 90 (100%), and 126 fruits per tree (140%). As increasing crop load from 60% to 140%, water sprout growth decreased, and one-year old shoot resulted in declined concentrations of total carbon, macro-nutrients, and free sugar. The 140% of crop load greatly increased fruit yield of approximately 35 tons per ha in both 2011 and 2012 but slightly reduced weight, size, and soluble solid contents in fruit. However, 140% of crop load increased annual production income to approximately over 10 million won compared to the 60% and 100% of crop load. Germination rates in the cuttings did not rapidly decrease up to $-20^{\circ}C$ in a growth chamber condition. The 140% of crop load decreased germination rates less than 70% of cuttings grown under $-30^{\circ}C$. Amounts of electrolyte leakage in the cuttings under various cold temperatures were not significantly different among the adjustment of crop load.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
• /
• v.54 no.1
• /
• pp.24-29
• /
• 2019

Purpose: To evaluate the characteristics and the risk factors of early onset subsequent vertebral compression fractures after percutaneous vertebroplasty. Materials and Methods: A total of 44 patients, who had a new subsequent vertebral fracture after percutaneous vertebroplasty for an osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture between January 2013 and December 2015, were recruited. The patients were divided into two groups according to the onset period of subsequent fracture. The number of patients who had a fracture within 3 months following vertebroplasty were 22 cases (Group A); after 3 months were 22 cases (Group B). Variables, including age, sex, bone mineral density (BMD), body mass index (BMI), preexisting vertebral compression fracture, location of the initial fracture, intradiscal cement leakage, injected cement volume, restoration of vertebral body height, and correction of kyphosis, in the two groups were analyzed and compared retrospectively. Results: The age, sex, BMD, BMI, preexisting vertebral compression fracture, location of the initial fracture, intradiscal cement leakage, and correction of kyphosis were similar in the two groups. Both a greater volume of bone cement injected and a greater degree of vertebral height restoration contributed significantly to the risk of fracture within 3 months. Conclusion: The cement volume and degree of height restoration are risk factors for early onset fracture at the adjacent vertebrae after percutaneous vertebroplasty and close attention is needed during the follow-up period.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.239-246
• /
• 2008

Yeongweol sericite deposit of Gangwon Province is regarded as one of the sericite deposits derived from granitic rocks due to post-magmatic alkali metasomatism, and the other sericite deposit of the same origin is the Daehyun mine of Gyungbug Province. Sericite ores were originated from leucocratic granitic stocks of Cambrian-Triassic age which intruded the pegmatitic migmatite of the unknown age and granite of the Pre-cambrian age, respectivcly. Jangsan quartzite of the lowermost formations of the Paleozoic era, which played as the capping rock protected from the leakage of the hydrothermal solution. It is well known that those sericite deposits arc formed during formation of the geosyncline, and they are also situated in the margins of the Hambaeg Syncline. Leucocratic granites commonly contain pegmatites with tourmaline crystals, and are rich in potassium feldspars, and sodium plagioclase as well. Sericitized ores are mainly found as we go up to the higher elevations or to the margins of the stocks. And some of the Highest grade sericite ores show the monominerallic character composed of nearly pure sericite probably doc to the ultra greisenization. Chemical analysis shows higher $Na_{2}O$ and $K_{2}O$ contents $(2.00\sim7.03wt%)$ as the sericitizations arc preceded and they represent obvious greisenization. But low CaO contents $(0.05\sim4.51wt%)$ indicate that albitizations are so weak. Pyrophyllite of the Youngweol area is often accompanied by the sericite, indicating rather stronger thermal effect than the Daehyun mine. It is known that there are several Sn deposits originated from greisenization in the Taebaegsan region. And greisens are inclined to contain W, Mo and several REE's such as Be, Nb and Li, and so Taebaegsan region interbedded with lots of carbonate formations are still worthwhile to survey for those metallic deposits.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.53 no.1
• /
• pp.33-43
• /
• 2020

CO₂ geological storage is currently considered as the most stable and effective technology for greenhouse gas reduction. The saline formations for CO₂ geological storage are generally located at a depth of more than 800 m where CO₂ can be stored in a supercritical state, and an extensive impermeable cap rock that prevents CO₂ leakage to the surface should be distributed above the saline formations. Trough analysis of seismic and well data, we identified the basalt flow structure for potential CO₂ storage where saline formation is overlain by basalt cap rock around PZ-1 exploration well in the Southern Continental Shelf of Korea. To evaluate CO₂ storage capacity of the saline formation, total porosity and CO₂ density are calculated based on well logging data of PZ-1 well. We constructed a 3D geological grid model with a certain size in the x, y and z axis directions for volume estimates of the saline formation, and performed a property modeling to assign total porosity to the geological grid. The estimated average CO₂ geological storage capacity evaluated by the U.S. DOE method for the saline formation covered by the basalt cap rock is 84.17 Mt of CO₂(ranges from 42.07 to 143.79 Mt of CO₂).

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.87-96
• /
• 2014

In the present study, a yeast species isolated from CETP, Vellore, Tamilnadu was identified as Cryptococcus sp. VITGBN2 based on molecular techniques and was found to be a potent producer of acidic diacetate sophorolipid in mineral salt media containing vegetable oil as additional carbon source. The chemical structure of the purified biosurfactant was identified as acidic diacetate sophorolipid through GC-MS analysis. This sophorolipid was used as a stabilizer for synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZON). The formation of biofunctionalized ZON was characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, XRD, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The antimicrobial activities of naked ZON and sophorolipid functionalized ZON were tested based on the diameter of inhibition zone in agar well diffusion assay, microbial growth rate determination, protein leakage analysis, and lactate dehydrogenase assay. Bacterial pathogen Salmonella enterica and fungal pathogen Candida albicans showed more sensitivity to sophorolipid biofunctionalized ZON compared with naked ZON. Among the two pathogens, S. enterica showed higher sensitivity towards sophorolipid biofunctionalized ZON. SEM analysis showed that cell damage occurred through cell elongation in the case of S. enterica, whereas cell rupture was found to occur predominantly in the case of C. albicans. This is the first report on the dual role of yeast-mediated sophorolipid used as a biostabilizer for ZON synthesis as well as a novel functionalizing agent showing antimicrobial property.

• Tribology and Lubricants
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.41-52
• /
• 2022

Mineral electrical insulating oil, which is widely used in transformers, exhibits excellent cooling performance and transformer efficiency. However, given that it is composed of petroleum-based components, it is weak in terms of biodegradability. This causes environmental problems in case of leakage and a low flash point, which is a factor that would cause great damage in the event of a fire in a substation. In this context, the use of eco-friendly electric insulating oil composed of bio-based vegetable oil and synthetic ester, which has excellent biodegradability and flame retardancy performance, has recently been expanded to the field of electric power, and various research and development (R&D) studies are in progress. According to different research results, vegetable oil and synthetic ester manufacturing technology, thermal stability, oxidation stability, property change, and quality control, which are characteristics of eco-friendly electrical insulating oils, are major factors affecting the maintenance of insulating oil properties. In addition, power companies have established and operated quality control standards according to the use of eco-friendly electrical insulating oil as they expand the exploitatoin of renewable energy in electricity production. In particular, deterioration and oxidation characteristics were jointly identified in R&D as an important influencing factor according to the content of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids present in vegetable oils and synthetic esters in power transformer applications.