• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.9-21
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• 2014

We examined high-resolution seismic data, side scan sonar data, surface sediments, and vibrocore samples from a sand ridge off the western part of Dukjuk-Do in Gyeonggi Bay, with the aim of interpretation of seismic stratigraphy and sedimentary environment. Based on the seismic data, the deposited sands are divided into three sedimentary units. 14C age data indicate that the top sequence (sequence I) formed at 5000-6000 yr BP, when a transgression resulted in strong shifting tides. Analyses of the vibrocore samples indicate that sequence II is a paleo-mudflat layer of intertidal sediments dominated by mud. Sequence III consists of terrestrial sediments that are presumed to have been deposited at the end of the Pleistocene, unconformably overlying the acoustic bedrock and Mesozoic granite. The side scan sonar data indicate that sand waves were formed on the seabed on top of the sand ridge. Generally, this is the direction of $N20^{\circ}E$, which coincides with the direction of tidal flow. Sand ripples occur away from the top of the sand ridge and are distributed homogeneously across a sandy slope. Vibrocore analyses indicate that the surface sediments and core sediments (samples VC-1, -2, and -3) are homogeneous, without any internal structures, and are characterized by a mixture of medium and fine sand (1-$2{\phi}$), respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.41 no.3 s.114
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• pp.346-360
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• 2006

In order to analyze synthetically geomorphological processes of marine terrace in Korea, this study deals with the distribution of marine terraces, stratification of sedimentary layers, physicochemical properties of deposits, and formative ages of marine terraces based on OSL(Optically Stimulated Luminescence) absolute age at coastal area of Gwangyang Bay in central part of the South Coast. As a result of comparison with physicochemical properties on diverse geomorphic materials, there is not enough distinction in them, because of recycling and mixing of materials at Gwangyang Bay having a geomorphic closure. In Gwangyang bay coast, marine terraces are discovered at least 3 levels and have a small area. Formative age of 1st Terrace, as the lowest level ranging in $10{\sim}13m$ above the sea level, is estimated at MIS(Marine Isotope Oxygen Stage) 5a, based on OSL age dating and properties of deposits. Uplifting rate is calculated at 0.141m/ka in Gwangyang bay coast. For application to this rate, 2nd terrace($18{\sim}22m$) is estimated at MIS 5e, 3rd terrace($27{\sim}32m$) is latter part of MIS 7. Consequently, we might conclude that uplifting and geomorphic process of marine terrace in South Coast is similar to East Coast during the Late Pleistocene in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Petroleum Geology
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• v.10 no.1_2 s.11
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• pp.18-22
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• 2004

To identify and interpret the distribution and the characteristics of the gas hydrate layers in the Ulleung Basin, we have surveyed and gathered the multi-channel seismic data, Chirp sub-bottom profiler, SeaBeam and 12 m piston core samples since 1996. In previous works, high-resolution seismic profiles showed acoustic anomalies such as acoustic void, acoustic turbidity and pock mark which indicate the presence of gas-charged sediments. The patterns of horizontal degassing cracks originated from free methane expansion is the strong indicator of shallow gas-charged sediments in the core samples. The observation of submarine slides and slumps from destabilizing the sediments in the southern part of the Ulleung Basin may also point out that the gas had been released from gas hydrate dissociation during lowstand of sea level. The multi-channel seismic data show BSR, blanking and phase reversal. The gas hydrate layers above which large-scale shallow gases are distributed exist at the depth of about 200 m from the sea-floor with water depth of 2,100 m. From the interpretation of seismic sections in the southern Ulleung Basin, gas hydrate layers occur in the Pleistocene-Holocene sediments. These gas-charged sediments, acoustic anomalies and BSR may be all related to the existence of gas hydrate layers in the study area.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.163-176
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• 2019

The Potosinian geological basement in central Mexico is comprised of the Upper Paleozoic metamorphic rocks, which crop out on the Sierra de Catorce nucleus located in the northeastern part of the state. The sedimentary sequence that covers unconformably the Paelozoic basement is represented by an Upper Triassic marine sedimentary sequence, correlating to the Zacatecas Formation and the Upper Triassic continental Huizachal Formation red beds, which in turn are covered either by La Joja Formation Jurassic red beds or by Upper Jurassic marine sediments. This sequence is overlain by the conformable Cretaceous calcareous marine sedimentary rocks in all the state of San Luis Potosi. The Cenozoic sequence unconformably covers some of the aforementioned rocks and is represented by undifferentiated volcanic rocks as well as by marine clastic rocks. The existing intrusive igneous rocks are felsic to intermediate composition, and they intrude the metamorphic basement and sedimentary rocks. Conglomerates with evaporitic sediments were deposited during the Pleistocene. The Quaternary sequence includes basalt flows, piedmont deposits, alluvium, and occasionally evaporites and caliche layers. In the state of San Luis Potosi, a great diversity of mineral deposit types is known as both metallic and nonmetallic. The host rocks of these deposits vary from one another including formations that represent from Paleozoic up to Tertiary. The mineralization age corresponds approximately to Tertiary (75%), and is mainly epigenetic. Conclusively, the data on geology and mineralization in San Luis Potosi, Mexico are helpful to predict a hidden ore body and select promising mineralized zone(s) when the domestic company makes inroads in the mining sector of Mexico.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.24-36
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• 2019

In the mid-eastern Yellow Sea, glacio-eustatic sea-level fluctuations and a regional tectonic subsidence have combined to represent an aggradational stacking pattern of sedimentary units during late Pleistocene-Holocene. The accumulated sediments are divisible into two-type units of Type-A and Type-B in high-resolution air-gun seismic profiles and the deep-drilled core of YSDP-105. Type-A unit largely comprises clast-rich coarse-grained sediments of non-marine to paralic origin, whereas Type-B unit consists mostly of tidal fine-grained sediments. Based on a bottom model of the sedimentary units, this study suggested a geoacoustic model of long-coring bottom layers at the YSDP-105 drilling site of the mid-eastern Yellow Sea. The geoacoustic model of 64-m depth below the seafloor with four-layer geoacoustic units was reconstructed in continental shelf strata at 45 m in water depth. For actual modeling, the geoacoustic property values of the models were compensated to in situ depth values below the seafloor using the Hamilton modeling method. We suggest that the geoacoustic model will be used for geoacoustic and underwater acoustic experiments of mid- and low-frequency reflecting on the deep bottom layers in the mid-eastern Yellow Sea.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.73-85
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• 2022

The cynoglossid fishes are popular for food in the world including Korea, China and Japan, and among them, Paraplagusia japonica lives all over the sea of Korea. In order to establish appropriate management measure, it is essential to clarify population structure of P. japonica from the morphological and molecular perspectives. We collected a total of 132 individuals of P. japonica from six localities in Korea between 2008 and 2021. Canonical discriminant analysis results showed that the West Sea population (Incheon) slightly differed from the South (Tongyeong, Busan) and East Sea populations (Pohang, Donghae, Sokcho). Similar results were also shown in Kruskal-Wallis test of meristic characters. Furthermore, neighbor-joining and maximum-likelihood trees based on 849 base pairs of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b sequences showed that P. japonica was divided into two lineages (designated as A and B) with a high significance (Φ_st=0.0781, P<0.001). Interestingly, however, the two lineages in the admixture area (South-East Sea) were not different in morphological characters. Our results suggest that P. japonica had undergone differentiated history during the Late Pleistocene, but secondary contact may occur at the admixture area.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.145-158
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• 2024

Life history characteristics, habitat landscape, and historical events are believed to have shaped the patterns of genetic variation in many taxa. The bony lip barb, Osteohilus vittatus, represent a potamodromous fish that complete all life cycle in freshwater and is widely distributed in Southeast Asia. It usually lives in small rivers and other freshwater habitats, and movement between habitats for either food or reproduction has been typical. These life history characteristics may promote gene flow, leading to less structured populations. However, many freshwater habitats are fragmented, which restricts gene flow. We investigate how this interplay has shaped patterns of genetic variation and phylogeographic structure within this species in the Sundaland, a biodiversity hotspot with a complex geological history, using mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) as a genetic marker. Forty-six mtCOI sequences of 506 bp long were collected from ten localities, eight geographically isolated and two connected. The sequences were used for population genetic and phylogeographic analyses. Our results showed a low genetic diversity within populations but high between populations. There was a deep phylogeographic structure among geographically isolated populations but a lack of such structure in the connected habitats. Among geographically isolated populations, sequence divergence was revealed, ranging from 1.8% between Java and Sumatra populations to 12.2% between Malaysia and Vietnam. An indication of structuring was also observed among localities that are geographically closer but without connectivity. We conclude that despite high dispersal capacity, the joint effects of historical events, long-term geographic isolation associated with sea level oscillation during the Pleistocene, and restricted gene flow related to lack of habitat connectivity have shaped the phylogeographic structure within the O. vittatus over the Sundaland.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.449-471
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• 2024

We investigated the radiometric ages and petrological characteristics of basaltic rocks with columnar joints, basalt gorge, pillow lava, and mantle xenolith, from the geoheritages designated as Natural Monuments of Korea in recognition of their historical, academic, and scenic excellence. A total of 7 Natural Monuments were selected. They are 'Basalt gorge along Daegyocheon Stream of Hantangang River', 'Basalt gorge and Bidulginangpokpo Falls of Hantangang River, Pocheon', 'Pillow lava in Auraji, Pocheon' distributed along the Chugaryeong Fault System, 'Peridotite xenolith-bearing basalt in Jinchon-ri Baengnyeongdo Island, Ongjin', 'Columnar joint in Daljeon-ri, Pohang', 'Columnar joint in Yangnam, Gyeongju', and 'Columnar joint along Jungmun and Daepo Coasts, Jeju'. They ranged in age from the Cenozoic Neogene Miocene to the Quarternary Pleistocene. Based on the composition of major elements, Hantangang Basalt corresponded to trachybasalt, Daljeon Basalt to phonotephrite, Eoil Basalt to sub-alkaline basalt, and Daepodong Basalt to alkaline basalt. And in the composition of trace and rare earth elements, only Eoil Basalt showed the characteristics of arc basalt, while the others showed the characteristics of oceanic island basalt.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.137-144
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• 2002

To obtain the basic information about pedo-genetic properties and origin of the parent materials of "Yongil" series in Korea, this study was conducted. The soil characteristics such as chemical and sand particles of typifying pedon, and distributional patterns in the area were analysed. The typifying pedon of "Yongil" series was distributed on the top of rolling area in the eastern coastal area of Korea, Yonggan-ri, Heunghae-eup, Pohang-si, Gyongbuk province. The results are as follows; The "Yongil" series in Korea was distributed on the rolling hill under altituede of 50m, and was used for cultivated upland, and the total acreage about 376ha. The content of sand was more than 50%, however the clay content in the depth of 40~100cm of the soil profile rapidly increased. The medium sand (0.5~0.1mm in size) are dominant among sand fraction, but coarse one are rare. So the rate of medium to total sand was higher in IIB horizon as 0.62~0.76 than A and C horizons. The content of heavy minerals in medium sand was low as 1.0~6.6% and the ratio of quartz to feldspars was higher in Ap2 and B1 horizon as 1.7 than IIB horizon which had less than 1.39. The cumulative curves of sand particles in Yeongil series showed the well sorted and differ from residuum soils derived from sand stone, but similar to dune soils(Haeri series). So it could be deducted from this study that "Yeongil" series are aeolian deposits derived from aeolian materials and have bisequum profile; the upper part depth of 40cm was recent cover sand, the horizon of 40~100cm depth was developed in Pleistocene epoch from the same materials.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.38 no.5 s.174
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• pp.547-561
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• 2005

General characteristics of groundwater contamination by As were reviewed with several recent researches, and its occurrence in groundwater of Korea was investigated based on a ffw previous studies and a groundwater quality survey in Nonsan and Geumsan areas. In Bangladesh, which has been known as the most serious arsenic calamity country, about $28\%$ of the shallow groundwaters exceeded the Bangladesh drinking water standard, $50{\mu}g/L$, and it was estimated that about 28 million people were exposed to concentrations greater than the standard. Groundwater was characterized by circum-neutral pH with a moderate to strong reducing conditions. Low concentrations of $SO_4^{2-}$ and $NO_3^-$, and high contents of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and $NH_4^+$ were typical chemical characteristics. Total As concentrations were enriched in the Holocene alluvial aquifers with a dominance of As(III) species. It was generally agreed that reductive dissolution of Fe oxyhydroxides was the main mechanism for the release of As into groundwater coupling with the presence of organic matters and microbial activities as principal factors. A new model has also been suggested to explain how arsenic can naturally contaminate groundwaters far from the ultimate source with transport of As by active tectonic uplift and glaciatiion during Pleistocene, chemical weathering and deposition, and microbial reaction processes. In Korea, it has not been reported to be so serious As contamination, and from the national groundwater quality monitoring survey, only about $1\%$ of grounwaters have concentrations higher than $10{\mu}g/:L.$ However, it was revealed that $19.3\%$ of mineral waters, and $7\%$ of tube-well waters from Nonsan and Geumsan areas contained As concentrations above $10{\mu}g/:L.$. Also, percentages exceeding this value during detailed groundwater quality surveys were $36\%\;and\;22\%$ from Jeonnam and Ulsan areas, respectively, indicating As enrichment possibly by geological factors and local mineralization. Further systematic researches need to proceed in areas potential to As contamination such as mineralized, metasedimentary rock-based, alluvial, and acid sulfate soil areas. Prior to that, it is required to understand various geochemical and microbial processes, and groundwater flow characteristics affecting the behavior of As.