• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.446-451
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• 1999

This study was carried out to investigate some mineralogical characteristics of Artificial Granular Zeolite (AGZ) and effect of AGZ on purification and alleviation of rice seedling damages of mine wastewater containing heavy metals. AGZ had mainly representative Na-P1 peaks and some $C_3S$ peaks of Portland cement in X-ray diffractogram. Differential thermal analysis represented that AGZ had weak endothermic peak around $130^{\circ}C$ and new deep endothermic peak around $750^{\circ}C$ as compared to powdery artificial zeolite. The ranking of heavy metals removals by AGZ, was lead> copper> cadmium> zinc in the synthetic wastewater. Root growth of rice seedling was greatly inhibited in the mine wastewater, and died after all. As AGZ treated into the mine wastewater with the ratio 1 : 50 (W : V) for one day or 1 : 100 for 4 days, the concentrations of heavy metals in the mine wastewater were decreased to below the critical concentration for agricultural use. And rice seedlings were grew with little damages in the purified water by AGZ.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.451-463
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• 2021

In this study we conducted component analyses of portable XRF detectors using four Au-Cu alloy standard samples to improve their accuracy by drawing up a calibration curve based on ICP-OES standard values. The portable XRF analysis found absolute errors of 0.3 to 3.7 wt% for Au and 0.2 to 8.2 wt% for Cu, confirming that the error range and standard deviation differed from one detector to another. Furthermore, the calibration curve improved their accuracy, such that the relative error rates of Au and Cu decreased from 9.8% and 14% to 3.5% and 3.7%, respectively. Accordingly, an experiment to confirm the calibration curve was conducted using unknown samples, finding that the measured values of the unknown samples fell on the calibration curve. Therefore, to accurately analyze the components of metal cultural heritage items, it is necessary to prepare a calibration curve for each element after checking whether the detector is suitable for the artifact.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.4-23
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• 2015

Buried bronze objects are naturally corroded by their surrounding environment, which results in producing corrosion layers containing a number of constituents. Corrosion layers in stable condition protect the objects from the environment and also could provide information in terms of the objects. Characteristic and mechanism of the corrosion layers is likely to be valuable information for the conservation treatment. Many research have been conducted to figure out the formation and characteristic of the corrosion layers, but the more research should be conducted with various approach and analytical methods. Raman spectroscopy is one of the analytical methods to identify microcrystal as a compound while other analytical methods are used to identify element. Therefore, the aim of this research is to identify the characteristic of corrosion layers of both excavated bronze objects through the raman spectroscopy. Two analytical methods, which are raman spectroscopy and SEM~EDS, were used to analyse four excavated bronze bowls. In the case of bronze bowls, malachite was found from the exterior corrosion layer and albite, quartz, and microcline, which are minerals, were also found. Cuprite was detected from the interior corrosion layers illustrating slightly different spectrum due to the combined compound. Lead segregation shows the form of PbO, $PbSO_4$ and $PbCO_3$ or it replaced as cuprite. In this study, small number of samples were analysed. This research is likely to be useful information to figure out not only the characteristic of the corrosion layers but also the authenticity of the artifacts if relevant research will be conducted. Therefore, further comprehensive researches on the various archaeological objects and corrosion environment condition are required in the future.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.475-499
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• 2023

To infer the provenance of raw iron materials utilized in iron production at the archaeological sites in Gyeongsang province, petrographic and geochemical analyses were conducted for smelting samples and major iron ores sourced from ore deposits. The smelting samples excavated from various iron archaeological sites were classified into different types according to their refining processes, such as iron bloom, iron bloom slag, pig iron, pig iron slag, forging iron flake, smithery iron, iron flake, and arrowhead. These samples exhibited discernable differences in their mineralogical components and texture. The enrichments of major elements such as aluminum and calcium in silicate minerals of the residual slags and the high contents of trace elements such as nickel and copper in some iron-making relics reflect the characteristics of raw iron ores, and thus can be regarded as potential indicators for inferring the provenance of source materials. In particular, the compositional ranges of Pb-Sr isotope ratios for the iron smelting samples were classified into three categories: 1) those exhibiting similar ratios to those of the raw iron ores, 2) those enriched in strontium isotope ratio, and 3) those enriched in both lead and strontium isotope ratios. The observed distinct Pb-Sr isotope characteristics in the iron smelting samples suggest the potential contribution of specific additives being introduced during the high-temperature refining process. These results provide a new perspective on the interpretation of the provenance study of the iron archaeological samples in Gyeongsang province, particularly in terms of the potential contribution of additives on the refining process.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.717-726
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• 2022

This study was conducted to assess the geochemical contamination degree of As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb, and Zn in the soil and water samples from an abandoned gold mine. Enrichment Factor (EF), Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), and Pollution Load Index (PLI) were carried out to assess the geochemical contamination degree of the soil samples. Variations of sulfate and heavy metals concentration in water samples were determined to identify the geochemical distribution with respect to the distance from the mine tailing dam. Geochemical pollution indices indicated significant contaminated with As, Cd, Pb, and Zn in the soil samples that areas close to the mine tailing dam, while, Sb showed similar indices in all soil samples. These results indicated that the As, Cd, Pb, and Zn dispersion has occurred via anthropogenic sources, such as mining activities. In terms of water samples, anomalies in the concentrations of As, Cd, Zn, and SO₄^2- was determined at specific area, in addition, the concentrations of the elements gradually decreased with distance. This result implies the heavy metals distribution in water has carried out by the weathering of sulfide minerals in the mine tailing and soil. The study area has been conducted the remediation of contaminated soil in the past, however, the geochemical dispersion of heavy metals was supposed to be occurred from the potential contamination source. Therefore, continuous monitoring of the soil and water is necessary after the completion of remediation.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.24-37
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• 2023

This study analyzes the materials and external characteristics of the Angbu-ilgu, a kind of scaphe sundial, which was newly designated as a Korean Treasure in 2022. The Angbu-ilgu Treasure is owned by three institutions - the National Palace Museum Of Korea, Gyeongju National Museum, and Sungshin Women's University Museum - and is similar as a twin in its material, size, outward appearance, as well as production techniques that include casting, silver inlays, and metal joints. The Three-Treasure Angbu-ilgu is made of brass in the ratio of 90.6: 6.0: 1.8 with Cu: Zn: Pb. This composition clearly differs from Treasure No. 845, an Angbuilgu which has a composition ratio of 82.2: 3.7: 11.8 with Cu: Zn: Pb. In this new Angbu-ilgu Treasure, the hemisphere's stand has four vertical pillars sculpted in a dragon pattern and bilateral wings carved in a cloud pattern on the pillars, which are joined to the hemisphere's horizontal ring with rivets and silver solders, respectively. The dragon-in-clouds pillar (雲龍柱) shows the most outstanding formative beauty of the various Angbu-ilgu pillars produced in the late Joseon Dynasty. It can be seen that the altitude of the north pole engraved on the Angbu-ilgu was made after 1713. Production is, however, actually estimated to have occurred close to the 19th century, the era of the Jinju Kang family, who were professional Angbuilgu makers. Hopefully, this study will lead to a historical science and technology review with modern scientific instruments analyzing the materials and external characteristics of the three Angbu-ilgus designated as a Korean Treasure in 2022.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.6
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• pp.1413-1440
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• 2021

On MRI, abnormal signals of the intervertebral disc, destruction of the upper and lower vertebral body endplate around the disc, and bone marrow edema around the endplate are considered typical findings of infectious spondylitis. These findings can also appear in various non-infectious spinal diseases, such as degenerative changes, acute Schmorl's node, spondyloarthropathy, synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO), chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis, and calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease. The imaging findings of infectious spondylitis that can be differentiated from these non-infectious spinal diseases on MRI are high signal intensity and abscess of the disc space, an abscess in the paraspinal soft tissue, and the loss of the linear low signal intensity on T1-weighted images of the bony endplate. However, these differentiation points do not always apply since there are many similarities in the imaging findings of infectious and non-infectious diseases. Therefore, for an accurate diagnosis, it is important to know the imaging characteristics related to the pathophysiology of not only infectious spondylitis but also non-infectious spinal diseases, which requires differentiation from infection.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.15-27
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• 2024

The goal of this study was to provide basic data necessary for managing fish in the Seomgang River by confirming diversity of fish species in the Seomgang River and determining the degree of change in fish species through a comparison with earlier related work. Growth rate, obesity level, and temporal and spatial reproductive capacities were analyzed to determine growth characteristics of dominant species. Fish fauna and structure of the fish community were surveyed at three different time points from October of 2020 to August of 2021 at eight sites. In addition, growth characteristics of Zacco platypus from June of 2021 to July of 2022 at four sites were determined. A total of 3,999 individuals, 43 species, and ten families of fish were identified. Among these species, 19 (44.19%) were Korean endemic species and four (9.30%) were endangered species. The dominant species was Z. platypus. Pungtungia herzi was identified as a subdominant species. An analysis of length-weight relationships and condition factor (k) of Z. platypus confirmed a good state of growth. As a result of a frequency analysis of the total length, the life cycle of the Z. platypus population living in the Seomgang River was found to be stable. According to gonadosomatic index (GSI) analysis, the spawning season of Z. platypus was estimated to occur after May, consistent with the literature.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.25-36
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• 2005

Several metalliferous and coal mines, including Myungjin, Seojin and Okdong located at the upper watershed of Okdong stream, were abandoned or closed since 1988 due to the mining industry promotion policy. Thus these disposed an enormous amount of mining wastes without a proper treatment facilities, resulting in water pollution in the downstream areas. Acid mine drainage (AMD) and waste water effluents from the closed coal mines were very strongly acidic showing pH ranges of 2.7 to 4.5 and had a high level of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) showing the ranges of 1,030 to 1,947 mg/L. Also heavy metal concentrations in these samples such as Fe, Cu, Cd and anion such as sulfate were very high. Concentrations of water soluble heavy metals in the Okdong streams were in the orders of Fe>Al>Mn>Zn>Cu>Pb>Cd, indicating Fe from the AMD and waste water effluents contributed greatly to the quality of water and soil in the lower watershed of Okdong stream. Copper concentrations in the effluents from the tile drainage of mine tailings dams were highest during the raining season. Water Pollution Index (WPI) of the surface water at the upper stream of Okdong river where AMD of the abandoned coal mines was flowed into main stream were in the ranges of 16.3 to 47.1. On the other hand, those at the mid stream where effluents from tailings dams and coal mines flowed into main stream were in the WPI ranges of 10.6 to 19.5. However, those at the lower stream were ranged from 10.6 to 14.9. These results indicated that mining wastes such as AMD and effluents from the closed mines were the major source to water pollution at the Okdong stream areas.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.257-267
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• 2014

The distributions of trace metals in the East Sea were investigated during the R/V Lavrentyev cruise (July 2009) in which four transects from Russia shore to South were conducted to collect 25 surface water samples. The total dissolved concentrations of Cu and Ni were measured using ICP-MS, DRC-e. In the coastal area, their concentrations of Russia shore (Cu, 1.51; Ni, 1.82 nM) were 1.9 times for Cu and 2.0 times for Ni lower than Korea shore (Cu, 2.87; Ni, 3.71 nM). In the subregion, their concentrations of Warm region (Cu, 3.03; Ni, 2.28 nM) were higher for Cu than Cold region (Cu, 2.04; Ni, 2.28 nM). The distributions of Cu and Ni concentrations were divided by lowest level at $10^{\circ}C$ of water temperature. In this study period, the surface water temperatures of Russia shore and Japan basin were lower than $10^{\circ}C$ and them of Ulleung basin and Sakhalin shore were higher. Below $10^{\circ}C$, Cu and Ni concentrations increased when surface water temperatures decreased. Above $10^{\circ}C$, their concentrations increased with temperature, which showed highest concentrations in the Ulleung basin, directly influenced by flux from East Korean Warm Current. By comparing with other sea areas (Western Mediterranean, Atlantic), Cu concentrations in the East Sea were a little higher and Ni concentrations were lower. Particularly as the level of Cu in the offshore in the Ulleung basin were higher than in the coastal area, We can suggest that the atmospheric flux of Cu is relatively important in this area.