• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.367-375
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• 2010

Understanding the interactions between earth materials and fluids is essential for studying the diverse geological processes in the Earth's surface and interior. In order to better understand the interactions between earth materials and fluids, we explore the effect of specific surface area and porosity on structural parameters of pore structures. We obtained 3D pore structures, using random packing simulations of porous media composed of single sized spheres with varying the particle size and porosity, and then we analyzed configurational entropy for 2D cross sections of porous media and cube counting fractal dimension for 3D porous networks. The results of the configurational entropy analysis show that the entropy length decreases from 0.8 to 0.2 with increasing specific surface area from 2.4 to $8.3mm^2/mm^3$, and the maximum configurational entropy increases from 0.94 to 0.99 with increasing porosity from 0.33 to 0.46. On the basis of the strong correlation between the liquid volume fraction (i.e., porosity) and configurational entropy, we suggest that elastic properties and viscosity of mantle melts can be expressed using configurational entropy. The results of the cube counting fractal dimension analysis show that cube counting fractal dimension increases with increasing porosity at constant specific surface area, and increases from 2.65 to 2.98 with increasing specific surface area from 2.4 to $8.3mm^2/mm^3$. On the basis of the strong correlation among cube counting fractal dimension, specific surface area, and porosity, we suggest that seismic wave attenuation and structural disorder in fluid-rock-melt composites can be described using cube counting fractal dimension.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.727-736
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• 2022

Ice wedges are subsurface ice mass structures that formed mainly by freezing precipitation with airborne dust and surrounding soil particles flowed through the active layer into the cracks growing by repeating thermal contractions in the deeper permafrost layer over time. These ice masses characteristically contain high concentrations of solutes and solids. Because of their unique properties and distribution, the possibility of harnessing ice wedges as an alternative archive for reconstructing paleoclimate and paleoenvironment has been recently suggested despite limited studies. It is imperative to preserve the physicochemical properties of the ice wedge (e.g., solute concentration, mineral particles) without any potential alteration to use it as a proxy for reconstructing the paleo-information. Thawing the ice wedge samples is prerequisite for the assessment of their physicochemical properties, during which the paleo-information could be unintentionally altered by any methodological artifact. This study examined the effect of thawing conditions and procedures on the physicochemical properties of solutes and solid particles in ice wedge samples collected from Cyuie, East Siberia. Four different thawing conditions with varying temperatures (4 and 23℃) and oxygen exposures (oxic and anoxic) for the ice wedge sample treatment were examined. Ice wedge samples thawed at 4℃ under anoxic conditions, wherein biological activity and oxidation were kept to a minimum, were set as the standard thawing conditions to which the effects of temperature and oxygen were compared. The results indicate that temperature and oxygen exposure have negligible effects on the physicochemical characteristics of the solid particles. However, the chemical features of the solution (e.g., pH, electric conductivity, alkalinity, and concentration of major cations and trace elements) at 4℃ under oxic conditions were considerably altered, compared to those measured under the standard thawing conditions. This study shows that the thawing condition of ice wedge samples can affect their chemical features and thereby the geochemical information therein for the reconstruction of the paleoclimate and/or paleoenvironment.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.104-123
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• 1995

Mantle xenoliths in alkali basalt from Boun, Gansung area, and Baegryung island in S. Korea are spinel lherzolites composed of olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, and spinel. The xenoliths generally show triple junctions among grams, kink-banding in olivine and pyroxenes, and protogranular and eqigranular textures having m orlentatron of specific direction. Anhedral brown spinels are disseminated in the intergranular spaces of minerals. Mineral compositions are very homogeneous without compositional zonation from rim to core in grains regardless different locahties. Olivine shows Fo. component of 89.0-90.2 and low CaO of 0.03-0.12wt%, orthopyroxene is enstatite with En component of 89.0 - 90.0 and $Al_2O_3$ of 4-5wt%, and clinopyroxene is diopside having En. component of 47.2-49.1 and $Al_2O_3$ of 7.42-7.64wt% from Boun and 4.70-4.91wt% from Baegryung showing local variation. Spinel shows the distinctive negative trend with increasing of A1 and decreasing of Cr, and Mg value and Cr number are 75.1-81.9 and 8.5-12.6, respectively. To estlmate T and P for these mantle xenoliths pyroxene-geothermometers (Wood and Banno, 1973; Wells, 1977; Mercier, 1980; Sachtleben and Seck, 1981; Bertrand and Mercier, 1985; Brey and Kohler, 1990) and Al-solubility geobarometer (Mercier, 1980; Lane and Ganguly, 1980) are used. Temperatures of Mercier (1980) and Sachtleben and Seck (1981) are compatible and equilibrium temperatures of xenoliths, average value of these two, aiie from $970^{\circ}C$ to $1020^{\circ}C$, and equihbrium pressures derived from Mercier (1980) are in the range of 12-19 Kb (42-63 Km). These temperatures and pressures seem to be reasonble wlth the consideration of Al-isopleths in MAS system (Lane and Ganguly, 1980) and Fe effect on Al-solubility in orthopyroxene (Lee and Ganguly, 1988). Equllibrium of temperatures and pressures of xenoliths in P-T space belong to ocenanic geothem among the Mercier's mantle geotherms (1980) and are completely different from continental geotherms of S. Africa (Lesotho) and S. India having different geologcal ages. anera1 compositions of spmel-lherzohtes in S. Korea and eastern China are primitwe and paleogeothems of both are very s~mllar, but degrees of depletion of upper mantle could be locally different from each other since eastern China has various depleted xenoliths due to different degrees of partial melting.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.23-32
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• 2020

Geological CO₂ sequestration is a global warming response technology to limit atmospheric emissions by injecting CO₂ captured on a large scale into deep geological formations. The presented results concern mineralogical and hydrogeological investigations (FE-SEM, XRD, XRF, and MICP) of mudstone samples from drilling cores of the Pohang basin, which is the research area for the first demonstration-scale CO₂ storage project in Korea. They aim to identify the mineral properties of the mudstone constituting the caprock and to quantitatively evaluate the hydrogeologic sealing capacity that directly affects the stability and reliability of geological CO₂ storage. Mineralogical analysis showed that the mudstone samples are mainly composed of quartz, K-feldspar, plagioclase and a small amount of pyrite, calcite, clay minerals, etc. Mercury intrusion capillary pressure analysis also showed that the samples generally had uniform particle configurations and pore distribution and there was no distinct correlation between the estimated porosity and air permeability. The allowable CO₂ column heights based on the estimated pore-entry pressures and breakthrough pressures were found to be significantly higher than the thickness of the targeting CO₂ injection layer. These results showed that the mudstone layers in the Yeongil group, Pohang basin, Korea have sufficient sealing capacity to suppress the leakage of CO₂ injected during the demonstration-scale CO₂ storage project. It should be noticed, however, that the applicability of results and analyses in this study is limited by the lack of available samples. For rigorous assessment of the sealing efficiency for geological CO₂ storage operations, significant efforts on collection and multi-aspect evaluation for core samples over entire caprock formations should be accompanied.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.19
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• pp.1-18
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• 2018

The Stele for National Preceptor Hongbeop from the Jeongtosa Temple site in Chungju is one of the most important stone cultural heritage items for exemplifying the style of the Goryeo era. Despite its obvious value, this relic has been stored in a weathered condition at the National Museum of Korea. It had suffered various dismantling and displacements during the Japanese colonial period and had long been exposed in the open air. The stele was selected as a subject for the Stone Monuments Restoration Project launched by the National Museum of Korea in 2015. In preparation for its outdoor exhibition as part of the restoration project, this study investigated the characteristics of its materials, produced a map of its deterioration from weathering, and carried out ultrasonic analysis of the materials to provide findings useful for conservation treatment. The materials analysis revealed that the turtle-shaped pedestal of the stele was made from two-mica granite consisting of medium-grained quartz, plagioclase, alkali feldspar, biotite, and muscovite. Its body stone is crystalline marble, the rock-forming mineral in which is medium-grained calcite in a rose-pink color with dark grey spots. The dragon top of the stele is made of crystalline marble, the major component of which is medium-grained calcite of a light-grey color. The deterioration consists of 21.5% abrasion on the stone body, with its south face most damaged, and 18.6% granular disintegration, with the north face most damaged. The ultrasonic material characterization conducted for mapping the general condition of weathering shows low values on the parts-assembly area of the turtle-shaped pedestal and on the upper portion of the stone body. It is considered that there is dislocation due to partial blistering and fracturing as well as to the differences in surface treatment. Prior to the outdoor exhibition of the stele, the surface was cleaned of contaminants and was consolidated based on the scientific investigation in order to prevent weathering from the external environment.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.223-230
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• 2019

The calcination of oyster shells have been studied as the possible substitute for the limestone used as an absorbent of $SO_2$ gas. However, since pure shells can not be used in calcination process, some impurities are contained and the changes in the characteristics of the calcination products are expected. In this study, the surface characteristics of the calcination products are investigated by mineralogical analysis according to the contents of NaCl, which can be derived from sea water, and sediments on the surface of the shell as impurities. The marine sediments on the shells were mainly composed of quartz, albite, calcite, small amounts of amphibole and clay minerals such as ilite, chlorite and smectite. After calcination of oyster shells mixed with 0.2-4.0 wt% sediments at $900^{\circ}C$ for 2 hours, regardless of the dehydration, dehydroxylation, and phase change of these minerals at the lower temperature than this experiment, no noticeable changes were observed on the specific surface area of the calcined product. However, when mixed with 0.1 to 2.0 wt% NaCl, the specific surface area generally increases as compared with the shell sample before calcination. The specific surface area increases with increasing amount of salt, and then decreases again. This is closely related to the changes of surface morphology. As the amount of NaCl increases, the morphology of the surface is similar to that of gel. It changes into a slightly angular, smaller particle and again looks like gel with increasing amount of NaCl. Our results show that NaCl affects morphological changes probably caused by melting of some oyster shells, but may have different effects on the specific surface area of calcination product depending on the NaCl contents.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.63-76
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• 2022

Dacitic tuffs, 97 to 118 m thick, were recovered from the lower part of the subsurface Seongdongri Formation, Janggi Basin, which was drilled to assess the potential for underground storage of carbon dioxide. The tuffs are divided into four depositional units(Unit 1 to 4) based on internal structures and particle componentry. Unit 1 and Units 3/4 are ignimbrites that accumulated in subaerial and subaqueous settings, respectively, whereas Unit 2 is braided-stream deposits that accumulated during a volcanic quiescence, and no dacitic tuff is observed. A series of analysis shows that mordenite and clinoptilolite mainly fill the vesicles of glass shards, suggesting their formation by replacement and dissolution of volcanic glass and precipitation from interstitial water during burial and diagenesis. Glass-replaced clinoptilolite has higher Si/Al ratios and Na contents than the vesicle-filling clinoptilolite in Units 3. However, the composition of clinoptilolite becomes identical in Unit 4, irrespective of the occurrence and location. This suggests that the Si/Al ratio and pH in the interstitial water increased with time because of the replacement and leaching of volcanic glass, and that the composition of interstitial water was different between the eastern and western parts of the basin during the formation of the clinoptilolite in Units 1 and 3. It is also inferred that the formation of the two zeolite minerals was sequential according to the depositional units, i.e., the clinoptilolite formed after the growth of mordenite. To summarize, during a volcanic quiescence after the deposition of Unit 1, pH was higher in the western part of the basin because of eastward tilting of the basin floor, and the zeolite ceased to grow because of the closure of the pore space as a result of the growth of smectite. On the other hand, clinoptilolite could grow in the eastern part of the basin in an open system affected by groundwater, where braided stream was developed. Afterwards, Units 3 and 4 were submerged under water because of the basin subsidence, and the alkali content of the interstitial water increased gradually, eventually becoming identical in the eastern and western parts of the basin. This study thus shows that volcanic deposits of similar composition can have variable distribution of zeolite mineral depending on the drainage and depositional environment of basins.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.55-72
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• 2023

This study aims to identify the fault zone architecture and geometric and kinematic characteristics of the Yeongdeok Fault, based on the geometry and kinematic data of various structural elements obtained by detailed field survey and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) of the fault rocks. The Yeongdeok Fault extends from Opo-ri, Ganggu-myeon, Yeongdeok-gun to Gilgok-ri, Maehwa-myeon and Bangyul-ri, Giseong-myeon, Uljin-gun, and cuts various rock types from the Paleo-proterozoic to the Mesozoic with a range of 4.6-5.0 km (4.77 km in average) of right-lateral offset or forms the rock boundaries. The fault is divided into four segments based on its geometric features and shows N-S to NNW strikes and dips of an angle of ≥ 54° to the east at most outcrops, even though the outcrops showing the westward dipping (a range of 54°-82°) of fault surface increase as it goes north. The Yeongdeok Fault shows the difference in the fault zone architecture and in the fault core width ranging from 0.3 to 15 m depending on the bedrock type, which is interpreted as due to differences in the physical properties of bedrock such as ductility, mineral composition, particle size, and anisotropy. Combining the results of paleostress reconstruction and AMS in this and previous studies, the Yeongdeok Fault experienced (1) sinistral strike-slip under NW-SE maximum horizontal principle stress (σ_Hmax) and NE-SW minimum horizontal principle stress (σ_Hmin) in the late Cretaceous to early Cenozoic, and then (2) dextral strike-slip under NE-SW maximum horizontal principle stress (σ_Hmax) and NW-SE minimum horizontal principle stress (σ_Hmin) in the Paleogene. It is interpreted that the deformation caused by the Paleogene dextral strike-slip movement was the most dominant, and the crustal deformation was insignificant thereafter.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.95-106
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• 1998

To reduce the environmental contamination and to utilize fly ash massively produced from the coal power plant every year, we synthesized the artificial zeolite using fly ash treated with alkaline, and then analyzed the mineralogical and morphological properties by X-ray, IR, and SEM. The amount of $NH_4{^+}$, $K^+$, and $H_2PO_4{^-}$ adsorbed by the fly ash and the artificial zeolite were determined with reaction time, amount of adsorbate used, ion concentrations. The results obtained from the pot experiments packed with the top soil, amended with granulated artificial zeolite which was made by treatment of 4% polyvinylalcohol, showed that CEC of the artificial zeolite was $257.7cmol^+kg^{-1}$, that was almost 36 times greater than that of fly ash. The ratio of $SiO_2/Al_2O_3$ decreased but the amount of Na increased. The physico-chemical properties analyzed by X-ray, IT, and SEM represented that the artificial zeolite synthesized had a similar morphological structure to that of the natural zeolite. The structures of the artificial zeolite had a significantly enlarged surface having a lot of pores, while the fly ash looked like spherical smooth shape with having not pores on the surface. Thus, the artificial zeolite was successfully synthesized. The results of adsorption isotherms of fly ash and artificial zeolite showed that the amount of $NH_4{^+}$, $K^+$, and $H_2PO_4{^-}$ adsorbed increased as the equilibrium concentration increased, while $NH_4{^+}$ was strongly adsorbed on the surface of fly ash and artificial zeolite than that of $K^+$. The most distinctive growth of Chinese cabbage was found from the top soil(NPK + soils + 20% of granulated artificial zeolite + 5% of compost). Therefore, we concluded that one of the most effective methods to effectively recycle a fly ash was to make the artificial zeolite as we did in this experiment.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.411-415
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• 2009

Some microorganisms are capable of leaching Mn(II) from nonsulfidic manganese ores indirectly via nonenzymatic processes. Such reductive dissolution requires organic substrates, such as glucose, sucrose, or galactose, as a source of carbon and energy for microbial growth. This study investigated characteristics of Mn(II) leaching from manganese nodules by using heterotrophic Bacillus sp. strain MR2 provided with corn starch as a less-expensive substrate. Leaching of Mn(II) at 25.6 g Mn(II) $kg^{-1}$ nodule $day^{-1}$ was accompanied with cell growth, but part of the produced Mn(II) re-adsorbed onto residual $MnO_2$ particles after 24 h. Direct contact of cells to manganese nodule was not necessary as a separation between them with a dialysis tube produced similar amount [24.6 g Mn(II) $kg^{-1}$ nodule $day^{-1}$]. These results indicated an involvement of extracellular diffusible compound(s) during Mn(II) leaching by strain MR2. In order to optimize a leaching process we tested factors that influence the reaction, and the most efficient conditions were $25\sim35^{\circ}C$, pH 5~7, inoculum density of 1.5~2.5% (v/v), pulp density of 2~3 g/L, and particle size <75 ${\mu}m$. Although Mn(II) leaching was enhanced as particle size decrease, we suggest <212 ${\mu}m$ as a proper size range since more grinding means more energy consumption The results would help for the improvement of bioleaching of manganese nodule as a less expensive, energy-efficient, and environment-friendly technology as compared to the existing physicochemical metal recovery technologies.