• 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.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.189-201
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• 1977

Some of basic aspects of soil potassium with special reference to soil physical properties were discussed. Data in the Official Soil Series Description(Korea) was analyzed according to soil type, land form, and soil texture to find soil potassium status which may explain different response to potassium application. Exchangeable potassium contents decreased with soil depth irrespective of soil type, land form and soil texture. Change in degree of potassium saturation within soil profile was not so clear as exchangeable potassium but the degree of potassium saturation of A horizon was highest among soil horizon. Soils of terrace and mountain foot slope showed high values both in exchangeable potassium and degree of potassium sauration and only these two soils were classified as soils having exchangeable potassium higher than 0.3 meq per 100g of soil and degree of potassium saturation higher than 5.0%. Exchangeable potassium of fine loamy and fine clayey soils is higher than 0.3 meq per 100g of soil but degree of potassium saturation is lower than 4.0%. Degree of potassium saturation of sandy soils exceeds 5.0% but exchangeable potassium is very low. Soils of rolling, hilly, unmatured and alpine land soils have lower exchangeable potassium and show lower degree of potassium saturation. The highest distribution of exchangeable potassium content irrespective of soil horizons was shown in the range of 0.1-0.2 meq per 100g of soil. The highest distribution of degree of potassium saturation was in the range of 2.0-3.0% in A horizon and 1.0-2.0% in B and C horizons. Of the soil series concerned in this analysis, 27.3% in A horizon, 11.1% in B horizon and 4.0% in C horizon had exchangeable potassium higher than 0.3 meq per 100g of soil and 18.0% in A horizon, 6.3% in B horizon, and 4.1% in C horizon showed degree of potassium saturation higher than 5.0%. The low response of potassium application only to soils in terrace and mountain foot slope may be resulted from the high exchangeable potassium content and high degree of potassium saturation. It is concluded that a great response of potassium application to soils is expected especially in dry season.