• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.431-439
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• 2014

The purposes of this research were to investigate the enrichment of metal-reducing bacteria from KURT groundwater and the identification of the microbial diversity by 16S rRNA as well as to examine microbial Fe(III)/Mn(IV) reduction and to analyze morphological features of interactions between microbes and precipitates and their mineralogical composition. To cultivate metal-reducing bacteria from groundwater sampled at the KURT in S. Korea, different electron donors such as glucose, acetate, lactate, formate, pyruvate and Fe(III)-citrate as an electron accepter were added into growth media. The enriched culture was identified by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis for the diversity of microbial species. The effect of electron donors (i.e., glucose, acetate, lactate, formate, pyruvate) and electron acceptors (i.e., akaganeite, manganese oxide) on microbial iron/manganese reduction and biomineralization were examined using the 1st enriched culture, respectively. SEM, EDX, and XRD analyses were used to determine morphological features, chemical composition of microbes and mineralogical characteristics of the iron and manganese minerals. Based on 16S rRNA gene analysis, the four species, Fusibacter, Desulfuromonas, Actinobacteria, Pseudomonas sp., from KURT groundwater were identified as anaerobic metal reducers and these microbes precipitated metals outside of cells in common. XRD and EDX analyses showed that Fe(III)-containing mineral, akaganeite (${\beta}$-FeOOH), reduced into Fe(II)/Fe(III)-containing magnetite ($Fe_3O_4$) and Mn(IV)-containing manganese oxide (${\lambda}-MnO_2$) into Mn(II)-containing rhodochrosite ($MnCO_3$) by the microbes. These results implicate that microbial metabolism and respiratory activities under anaerobic condition result in reduction and biomineralization of iron and manganese minerals. Therefore, the microbes cultivated from groundwater in KURT might play a major role to reduce various metals from highly toxic, mobile to less toxic, immobile.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.505-517
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• 1997

Lead and zinc mineralization of the Kwangsin mine was formed in quartz and carbonate veins that filled fault-related fractures in the limestone-rich Samtaesan Formation of the Chosun Supergroup and the phyllite-rich Suchangni Formation of unknown age. A K-Ar date of alteration sericite indicates that the Pb-Zn mineralization took place during Late Cretaceous (83.5 Ma), genetically in relation to the cooling of the nearby Muamsa Granite (83~87 Ma). Mineral paragenesis can be divided into three stages (I, II, III): (I) the deposition of barren massive white quartz, (II) the main Pb-Zn mineralization with deposition of white crystalline quartz and/or carbonates (rhodochrosite and dolomite), and (III) the deposition of post-ore barren calcite. Mineralogic and fluid inclusion data indicate that lead-zinc minerals in middle stage II (IIb) were deposited at temperatures between $182^{\circ}$ and $276^{\circ}C$ from fluids with salinities of 2.7 to 5.4 wt. % equiv. NaCl and with log $fs_2$ values of -15.5 to -11.8 atm. The relationship between homogenization temperature and salinity data indicates that lead-zinc deposition was a result of fluid boiling and later meteoric water mixing. Ore mineralization occurred at depths of about 600 to 700 m. Sulfur isotope compositions of sulfide minerals (${\delta}^{34}S_{CDT}=9.0{\sim}14.5$ ‰) indicate a relatively high ${\delta}^{34}S_{{\Sigma}S}$ value of ore fluids (up to 14 ‰), likely indicating an igneous source of sulfur largely mixed with an isotopically heavier sulfur source (possibly sulfates in surrounding sedimentary rocks). There is a remarkable decrease of calculated ${\delta}^{18}O$ value of water in hydrothermal fluids with increasing paragenetic time: stage I, 14.6~10.1 ‰; stage IIa, 5.8~2.2 ‰; stage IIb, 0.8~2.0 ‰; stage IIc, -6.1~-6.8 ‰, This indicates a progressive increase of meteoric water influx in the hydrothermal system at Kwangsin. Measured and calculated hydrogen and oxygen isotope values indicate that the Kwangsin hydrothermal fluids was formed from a circulating (due to intrusion of the Muamsa Granite) meteoric waters which evolved through interaction mainly with the Samtaesan Formation (${\delta}^{18}O=20.1$ to 24.9 ‰) under low water/rock ratios.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.435-444
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• 1999

The antimony deposits of the Hyundong mine, located in the northeastern part of the Sobaegsan massif, occur as hydrothermal quartz+carbonate veins and stockworks which fill the fault fractures developed in Precambrian metamOlphic rocks (mainly, granitic gneiss). Hydrothermal alteration occurs commonly in the vicinity of mineralized veins and is characterized by sericitization and silicification. A K-Ar age of alteration sericite is 139.2$\pm$ 4.4 Ma, implying the early Cretaceous age of mineralization, possibly in association with intrusion of nearby acidic dikes (mainly, quartz porphyry). The hydrothermal mineralization occurred in five mineralization stages. These are: (I) stage I, characterized by deposition of chalcedonic quartz; (2) stage II, deposition of quartz with base-metal sulfides and stibnite; (3) stage III, deposition of quartz and carbonates (calcite, dolomite, ankerite, rhodochrosite) with various antimony-bearing minerals such as stibnite, polybasite, berthierite, native antimony, gudmundite and ullmannite; (4) stage IV, deposition of calcite with stibnite; and (5) stage V, deposition of barren calcite. Antimony occurs mostly as stibnite within stages II to IV veins, which has various habits including disseminated, veinlets and euhedral coarse crystals. Fluid inclusion studies indicate that hydrothermal mineralization at Hyundong occurred from the fluids with temperature and salinity of $330^{\circ}$C to 120 and 5.3 wI. % equiv. NaCI. The temperature and salinity of ore fluids systematically decreased with elapsed time in the course of mineralization, possibly due to the influx of larger amounts of meteoric groundwater. The deposition of antimony-bearing minerals occurred at low temperatures «$250^{\circ}$C), mainly due to the cooling and dilution of fluids. Based on the evidence of fluid boiling during the early stage II mineralization, the mineralization occurred under low pressure conditions (about 80 bars, corresponding to depths of about 350 m under hydrostatic pressure regime). Thermodynamic considerations of ore . mineral assemblages indicate that antimony deposition also occurred as the results of decreases in temperature and sulfur fugacity of hydrothermal fluids. Calculated sulfur isotope composition of ore fluids ($\delta^{34}S_{\Sigma s}$=5.4 to 7.8$\textperthousand$) indicates an igneous source of sulfur.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.19 no.2 s.48
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• pp.71-80
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• 2006

We examined the mineralogical composition of pyrite-bearing rocks by quantitative powder X-ray diffraction analysis using the matrix-flushing method and ROCKJOCK (a full pattern fitting computer program). The neutralization potential (NP) and acid generating potential (AP) were calculated on the basis of mineralogical compositions. The mineralogical AP was compared with the conventional AP calculated from bulk sulfur concentration to assess the applicability to the prediction of acid rock drainage(ARD). The pyrite content calculated by matrix-flushing method showed a high positive correlation($r^2$=0.95) with those by ROCKJOCK. The pyrite contents by matrix-flushing method was 1.45 times larger than those by ROCKJOCK. The pyrite content and mineralogical AP obtained by the matrix-flushing method had a better correlation($r^2$=0.98) with those by the total sulfur concentrations in the all samples except KB sample. The mineralogical NPs of YJ sample were 23.0 and 34.0(kg $CaCO_3$ equivalent per tonne) by matrix-flushing method and ROCKJOCK, respectively. The AP calculated by matrix-flushing method and ROCKJOCK program were 47% and 72% of those by the conventional ABA test. We hereby suggested that the quantitative analysis using XRD data can be applied to prediction of ARD. For more reliable calculation of the mineralogical NP and AP, other sulfide and carbonate minerals such as pyrrhotite, dolomite, ankerite, siderite, rhodochrosite which can affact the mineralogical NP and AP should be considered.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.51-73
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• 1979

The zinc-lead deposits at the Yeonhwa I mine were investigated in terms of ore-forming geologic setting, structural style of ore control, geometry of individual orebodies, zoning, paragenesis and chemical composition of skarn minerals, as well as metal grades and ratios of selected orebodies. The Yeonhwa I mine is characterized by a large swarm of chimney type massive orebodies with thin skarn envelopes, boldly developed through a thick sequence of Pungchon Limestone, the overlying Hwajeol Formation, and the underlying Myobong Slate of Cambrian age. Nearly 20 orebodies of similar shape, but of varying size are arranged in a V-shaped pattern with northwest and northeast trends, clearly indicating an outstanding ore control by a conjugate system of fractures with these trends. Important orebodies are the Wolam 1, 2, 3, and 5 orebodies in the west, and the Namsan 1, 2, 3. and 5 orebodies in the east, among others. The Wolam 1 orebody, which was observed from the -360 level through the -240, -120, and 0 levels to the surface outcrops (totaling a vertical height of about 500m), shows a vertical variation in skarn mineralogy, ranging from pyroxene-garnet zone on the lower levels. through pyroxene (without garnet) zone on the intermediate levels, and finally to rhodochrosite vein on the upper levels and surface. Microprobe analyses of pyroxene and garnet on a total of 14 mineral grains revealed that pyroxenes are manganoan salitic in most samples, with downward increase of Fe and Mn, whereas garnets are highly andraditic, containing fractions of subordinate grossular with downward decrease of Fe. This indicates a reverse relationship of Fe-contents between pyroxene and garnet with depth. Ore minerals are major sphalerite, subordinate galena, and minor chalcopyrite. Sulfide gangue minerals include major pyrrhotite, and minor pyrite and marcasite of later age. Two types of variational trends in metal grades and ratios with depth are present on the plots of assay data from the Wolam orebodies: one is a steady upward increase in Pb, Zn, and Pb:Zn ratios, with a terminal decline at the top of orebody: the other is an irregular or sinusoidal change. The former is characteristic of chimney-type orebodies, whereas the latter is of vein· shaped orebodies. The Pb grades show large variations among orebodies and from level to level, whereas the Zn grades are relatively constand or less variable.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.333-339
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• 2003

A new mineral, Zn analogue of rancieite (Chimooite), has been discovered at the Dongnam mine, Korea. It occurs as compact subparallel fine­grained flaky or acicular aggregates in the massive manganese oxide ores which were formed by supergene oxidation of rhodochrosite­sulfide ores in the hydrothermal veins trending NS­N25E and cutting the Pungchon limestone of the Cambrian age. The flakes of chimooite are 0.2 mm for the largest one, but usually less than 0.05 mm. The acicular crystals are elongated parallel to and flattened on (001). This mineral shows gradation to rancieite constituting its marginal part, thus both minerals are found in one and the same flake. Color is bluish black, with dull luster and brown streak in globular or massive aggregates. Cleavage is perfect in one direction. The hardness ranges from 2.5 to 4. Under reflected light it is anisotropic and bireflectant. It shows reddish brown internal reflection. Chemical analyses of different parts of both minerals suggest that rancieite and chimooite constitute a continuous solid solution series by cationic substitution. The empirical chemical formula for chimooite has been calculated following the general formula, $R_2_{x}$ M $n^{4+}$$_{9­x}$ $O_{18}$ $.$n$H_2O$ for the 7 $\AA$ phyllomanganate minerals, where x varies from 0.81 to 1.28 in so far studied samples, thus averaging to 1.0. Therefore, the formula of Zn­rancieite is close to the well­known strochiometric formula $_Mn_4^{4+}$ $O_{9}$ $.$4$H_2O$. The mineral has the formula (Z $n_{0.78}$N $a_{0.15}$C $a_{0.08}$M $g_{0.01}$ $K_{0.01}$)(M $n^{4+}$$_{3.98}$F $e^{3+}$$_{0.02}$)$_{4.00}$ $O_{9}$ $.$3.85$H_2O$, thus the ideal formula is (Zn,Ca)M $n^{4+}$$_4$ $O_{9}$ $.$3.85$H_2O$. The mineral has a hexagonal unit ceil with a=2.840 $\AA$ c=7.486 $\AA$ and a : c = 1 : 2.636. The DTA curve shows endothermic peaks at 65, 180, 690 and 102$0^{\circ}C$. The IR absorption spectrum shows absorption bands at 445, 500, 1630 and 3400 c $m^{1}$. The mineral name Chimooite has been named in honour of late Prof, Chi Moo Son of Seoul National University.ity.versity.ity.y.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.17-32
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• 1982

The Wolak tungsten-molybdenum deposits are tungsten-molybdenum bearing quartz veins which filled the fractures in Pre-Cambrian pebble-bearing calcareous hornfels, hornfels and Cretaceous granite. There are two vein groups in this mine, Dongsan vein group in the west and Kwangcheon vein group in the east. The ore minerals are wolframite, scheelite, molybdenite, native bismuth, bismuthinite, pyrite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, cubanite, stannite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite, galena, marcasite, Pb-Bi sulfosalt and ilmenite. Quartz, calcite, beryl, fluorite, muscovite, rhodochrosite and siderite are gangue minerals. Fluid inclusion studies were carried out for the quartz, beryl, scheelite, early and late fluorite. Fluid inclusion studies reveal that liquid-gas inclusions are most common and occur in all of the minerals examined. Filling degree of the inclusions in the late fluorite is much higher than that of the inclusions in quartz and early fluorite. Liquid $CO_2$ bearing liquid-gas inclusions occur in quartz and early fluorite. Liquid, gas and solid phase inclusions occur in quartz, beryl and scheelite. Salinities of inclusions in quartz and beryl from Dongsan vein group range from 3.9 to 8.0, from 5.3 to 7.7 wt.% NaCl equivalent respectively. Salinities in the late fluorite range from 1.5 to 3.2 wt.% NaCl equivalent. In Kwangcheon vein group salinities range from 3.9 to 9.6 wt.% NaCl equivalent in quartz, from 2.8 to 7.3 wt.% NaCl equivalent in early fluorite, from 1.3 to 1.5 wt.% NaCl equivalent in late fluorite. Homogenization temperatures of inclusions range from $239^{\circ}$ to higher than $360^{\circ}C$ in quartz, over $360^{\circ}C$ in scheelite, from $288^{\circ}C$ to higher than $360^{\circ}C$ in beryl, and from $159^{\circ}$ to $202^{\circ}C$ in late fluorite of the Dongsan vein group. In Kwangcheon vein group, homo genization temperatures of inclusions range from $240^{\circ}C$ to higher than $360^{\circ}C$ in quartz and from $240^{\circ}$ to $328^{\circ}C$ in early fluorite. As a whole, in Dongsan and Kwangcheon vein groups it seems that there are no distinct differences in mineralogy, salinities and homogenization temperatures. No distinct variations in homogenization temperatures are revealed through about 300 m vertically in both district. The faint trend of increase in salinities in the lower level can be detected. The salinity, $CO_2$ content and the temperature of ore fluid were much higher in the early vein stage and then dropped off in the late stage of mineralization as represented by the quartz and fluorite inclusion data.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.469-484
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• 2022

The Janggun Pb-Zn deposit has been known one of the four largest deposits (Yeonhwa, Shinyemi, Uljin) in South Korea. The geology of this deposit consists of Precambrian Weonnam formation, Yulri group, Paleozoic Jangsan formation, Dueumri formation, Janggum limestone formation, Dongsugok formation, Jaesan formation and Mesozoic Dongwhachi formation and Chungyang granite. This Pb-Zn deposit is hydrothermal replacement deposit in Paleozoic Janggum limestone formation. The wallrock alteration that is remarkably recognized with Pb-Zn mineralization at this deposit consists of mainly rhodochrositization and dolomitization with minor of pyritization, sericitization and chloritization. Wallrock alteration is divided into the five zones (Pb-Zn orebody -> rhodochrosite zone -> dolomite zone -> dolomitic limestone zone -> limestone or dolomitic marble) from orebody to wallrock. The white mica from wallrock alteration occurs as fine or medium aggregate associated with Ca-dolomite, Ferroan ankerite, sideroplesite, rutile, apatite, arsenopyrite, pyrite, sphalerite, galena, quartz, chlorite and calcite. The structural formular of white mica from wallrock alteration is (K_0.77-0.62Na_0.03-0.00Ca_0.03-0.00Ba_0.00Sr_0.01)_0.82-0.64(Al_1.72-1.48Mg_0.48-0.20Fe_0.04-0.01Mn_0.03-0.00Ti_0.01-0.00Cr_{0.00As0.01-0.00}Co_0.03-0.00Zn_0.03-0.00Pb_0.05-0.00Ni_0.01-0.00)_2.07-1.92 (Si_3.43-3.33Al_0.67-0.57)_4.00O₁₀(OH_1.94-1.80F_0.20-0.06)_2.00. It indicated that white mica from wallrock alteration has less K, Na and Ca, and more Si than theoretical dioctahedral micas. The white micas from wallrock alteration of Janggun Pb-Zn deposit, Yeonhwa 1 Pb-Zn deposit and Baekjeon Au-Ag deposit, and limestone of Gumoonso area correspond to muscovite and phengite and white mica from wallrock alteration of Dunjeon Au-Ag deposit corresponds to muscovite. Compositional variations in white mica from wallrock alteration of these deposits and limeston of Gumoonso area are caused by mainly phengitic or Tschermark substitution mechanism (Janggun Pb-Zn deposit), mainly phengitic or Tschermark substitution and partly illitic substitution mechanism (Yeonhwa 1 Pb-Zn deposit, Dunjeon Au-Ag deposit and Baekjeon Au-Ag deposit), and mainly phengitic or Tschermark substitution and partly illitic substitution or Na⁺ <-> K⁺ substitution mechanism (Gumoonso area).