• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.67-79
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• 2017

Evaluation of the weathering index using the quantitative element composition of rocks is very effective in predicting the degree of weathering of rocks and the secondary weathering residuals. While the process of weathering varies according to the types of rocks, the study of weathering in Korea is concentrated on acidic igneous rocks. This study calculated the weathering indices using whole rock analysis (X-ray fluorescence analysis) of sandstone, mudstone, and shale belonging to clastic sedimentary rocks. The statistical significance of the indices was examined based on the correlation of the calculated weathering indices. Clastic sedimentary rocks showed higher significance of Wp, CIA, CIW and PIA weathering index indicating weathering of feldspar. Chemical Index of alteration (CIA) has the advantage of predicting weathering pathway and clay mineral production, but it is effective to consider chemical index of weathering index (CIW) simultaneously to improve accuracy. In order to reduce uncertainties due to carbonate rocks and to estimate the accurate weathering index, rock samples with high CaO content should be excluded from the evaluation of weathering index.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.41-54
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• 2012

The weathering process of rocks leads to the reduction of geotechnical bearing capacity. The weathering of granite is frequently used to refer to the degradation of geotechnical property in the design and construction of infra-structure. In this study, the range of values of CIA (chemical index of alteration) and the change of mineral compositions by weathering have been analysed with igneous rock, which covers 45.5% in South Korean territory. Several weathering indices were studied for various rocks found in Korea and significant relationships between different indices were delineated via statistical analysis. The applicability of CIA was found to be the most significant among all weathering indicies. The composition of illite, the secondary weathering residual, generally increases for the felsic rock, and swelling clay material is not included. The weathering of felsic rock will follow a sequential process, starting from bed rock, illite, and chlorite to kaoline. The mafic rock will show weathering process, from bed rock, smectite, and chlorite to kaoline. The intermediate rocks such as andesite and tuff will show similar weathering procedure and the composition of kaoline, chlorite, and smectite tends to increase more than that of illite when the mafic rock is dominated. This means the increase of rock material which has high CEC (cation exchange capacity) during secondary weathering process. However, the characteristics of a specific rock cannot be completely analyzed using merely CIA, since it is exclusively based on chemical composition and corresponding alteration. The CIA can be used to quantify the weathering process in a limited range, and further considerations such as rock composition, strength characteristics will be required to configure the comprehensive weathering impact on any specific region.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2004.04a
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• pp.266-271
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• 2004

지리적으로 이격된 마산과 서부산 지역의 불국사 화강암 분포지에서 정량적인 풍화도를 판별하기 위해 화학적 풍화지수와 등급을 산정하였다. 연구를 위해 채취된 시료에 대해 풍화 생성광물 동정, 전암분석, 산침수에 의한 이온용출 시험을 실시하였으며, 풍화지수와 지형적인 요소와 풍화속도를 고려하여 풍화등급들 산정하였다. 분석 결과 동일한 물리적, 광물학적 특성을 가지고 있으나 풍화에 따라 생성되는 점토광물의 종류와 함량에서 차이를 보여주며, 풍화의 진행 경로과 범위는 매우 상이한 결과를 보여 준다. 이러한 결과는 암석의 풍화가 모암의 조건 외에 지형, 지질구조, 기온, 강수량과 같은 환경적인 요소에 밀접하게 관련되어 있는 것을 의미할 뿐만 아니라 풍화도 산정에서 환경적인 요소에 대한 해석이 반드시 요구된다.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.731-739
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• 2021

This research aimed to analyze the characteristics of topsoil for soil conservation and promote the process of turning subsoil into topsoil. The physicochemical characteristics of topsoil and subsoil of different types of soil were compared, and their quantitative differences were examined. 204 soil samples were collected from a total of 102 areas according to rock types. These samples were tested to measure grain size, water content, and unit weight, along with XRF and XRD analyses. The topsoil and subsoil of the soil samples were also analyzed. The results of this research showed that the topsoil and subsoil had different physical characteristics, and that the chemical alteration index of the topsoil was higher than that of the subsoil. This would imply that the topsoil was high in clay minerals since it was directly affected by weathering more than the subsoil. In particular, vermiculite, one of the final products generated from weathering, was common in the topsoil.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.95-107
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• 2011

The Hwangsan volcanic rocks, hosting the Moisan epithermal Au-Ag deposit arc widely distributed throughout the Seongsan district, and associated with large hydrothermal alteration. They were analyzed as the Moisan and around voleanic rocks, and most of them show dacitic to rhyolitic compositions. Hydrothermal alteration related to epithermal system causes the host rocks to show the geochemical variation due to high mobility of alkali elements. These features can be applied for quantitative estimates of alteration intensity. Alteration intensity of volcanic rocks from the Moisan ranges from subtle to intense, based on AI vs. $Na_2O$ diagram. The pattern that ($CaO+Na_2O$) content decrease with increasing $K_2O$ content results from sericitic alteration, in which hydrothermal fluids continually provide $K^+$ into country rocks but remove $Ca^{2+}$ and $Na^{2+}$ of feldspars within country rocks. The decrease of ($CaO+Na_2O$) with decreasing $K_2O$ in some samples from the Moisan may be caused by advanced argillic alteration that all alkali elements are entirely removed from country rocks by acid hydrothermal fluids. Two alteration trends, based on Al and CCPI alteration indices suggest both sericitic alterations of feldsaprs to illite and sericite+chlorite$^{\circ}{\ae}$pyritc alteration of high Mg and Fe activities. Trace and Rare Earth Elements patterns show the similar geochemical variation related to hydrothermal alteration. Of LIL elements, strong depletion of $Sr^{2+}$, substituting for $Ca^{2+}$ in feldspars, appears to be resulted from removal of $Ca^{2+}$, during replacement of feldspars to alumino-silicates or phyllo silicates minerals by hydrothermal fluids. Relatively low total REEs contents (Moisan: 119-182 ppm; Seongsan: 111-209 ppm) and gently negative slopes suggest that significant mobility of LREEs appear to occur during hydrothermal alteration.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2000

알루나이트는 포항지역의 제3기 연일층군의 이암 층내의 탄산염 결핵체 주변에서 할로이사이트와 함께 극미립 변질물 (1-2 $\mu\textrm{m}$)로서 산출된다. 알루나이트는 정육면체와 유사한 능면체 결정형을 이루고 침상 내지 단주상의 할로이사이트와 밀접한 공생관계를 이룬다. X-선회절 분석에 의해서 이 알루나이트는 a=6.9897(1) $\AA$, c=17.2327(4)$\AA$, V=728.75(3) $\AA$3의 격자상수값을 갖는 것으로 밝혀졌다. X-선형광된 이 알루나이트의 화학식은 (K0.94N0.06)(Al2.55Fe3+0.45)(SO4)2(OH)6 으로서, 나트로알루나이트 단성분을 6-7 mole%정도 함유하는 것으로 분석되었다. 또한 시차열분석 (TG-DTG-DTA)을 통해서 알루나이트의 승화성 성분들 (H2O와 SO3)의 존재와 함유 정도를 조사하였고, 고온X-선회절분석을 병행하여 이 광물의 OH기의 이탈 반응 (52$0^{\circ}C$)과 고온상으로의 전이 반응 ($600^{\circ}C$ 및 $700^{\circ}C$)을 감정 하였다. K/Ar 법으로 측정된 알루나이트의 생성 연대 ($0.342\pm$0.008 Ma)와 안정동위원소들의 분석 결과 ($\delta$18Oso4=-1.7, $\delta$DSMOW=-31, $\delta$34S=-10.8)는 이 알루미늄 황산염 광물이 연일충군의 융기 이후에 야기된 민물의 유입에 의한 표성기원의 변질작용의 결과로 생성되었음을 지시한다. 알루나이트+할로이사이트 공생군의 침전은 이암 내에서 조성된 강산성 (pH=2-3)의 알루미늄 황산염 용액이 탄산염 결핵체를 만나 반응하여 pH가 국지적으로 증가되어 (pH=4) 과포화되는 과정에 의해서 야기되었다. 컴퓨터를 이용한 Al3+의 포화지수에 관한 화학적 평형 모델링 실험 결과, 알루미늄 황산염 용액으로부터의 알루나이트와 할로이사이트의 침전은 pH=4 및 \ulcornerSO42-=10-4M 조건에서 K+과 Si(OH)4의 농도가 10-4M 이상 유지되어야 가능한 것으로 밝혀졌다.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.287-303
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• 2009

Rock mass in Baekrokdam at the summit of Hallasan in Jeju island is composed of two volcanic rock types: Baekrokdam trachybasalt at the eastern region and Hallasan trachyte at the western region. On-going rockfall and subsequent collapse of Baekrokdam wall rock are closely linked to the weathering of trachyte distributed in the western region of Baekrokdam. Samples of Hallasan trachyte showing different weathering grades had been collected and the polarizing microscopic observation, X-ray diffraction analysis and analysis for chemical weathering had been conducted. Formation of secondary minerals, especially clay minerals, by chemical weathering has not been identified, but the change of chemical weathering indices indicated that chemical weathering process had been proceeded to the degree for increasing and decreasing the contents of some chemical components. Changes in physical and mechanical rock properties due to weathering has also been examined. Artificial weathering test of freezing-thawing reveals that the process of crack initiation and propagation deteriorated the mechanical characteristics of Hallasan trachyte and $D_B$ = 1.5 or porosity = $20{\sim}21%$ would be the ultimate limiting value induced by the mechanical weathering processes.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.39-51
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• 2001

공주군 유구면 일대의 화강암질 편마암의 풍화작용에 따른 원소의 거동과 pH와 이차광물과의 관계를 XRF, ICP-AES, ICP-MS를 이용한 원소분석결과를 통하여 검토하였다. 이 지역의 암석은 pH6 내외의 산성환경, 침철석, 아나타제와 같은 다양한 이차광물을 생성하면서 심각한 화학조성의 변화를 초래했다. 주원소의 화학조성을 이용한 풍화지수는 토양층에서 79~88로 모암 중의 사장석이 용해되고 흑운모가 변질되어 캐올리광물의 생성이 활발한 방향으로 풍화작용이 진행되었다. 지표층으로 가면서 Al에 대한 주 원소의 거동은 Si, Ca, Na, K, P가 감소하고 Fe, Ti, Mn이 증가하는 경향을 보이며 pH가 낮은 풍화단면에서 주 원소의 변화량이 더 크다. 이 풍화대에서 Mg은 거의 일정하다. Li, As 모든 전이원소는 pH가 감소함에 따라 증가하며 특히 이들 원소는 Fe의 함량과 비례해서 증가해 침철석과 공침하였거나 표면에 흡착되어 있는 것으로 보인다. Ga은 Fe와 비례하기는 하지만 변화량은 전 풍화단면에서 일정하다. Zr, Mo, Sn, Cd은 pH에 변화에 상관없이 일정한 반면에 Rb, Sr, Ba, Y, Pb, Th, U 등은 감소하는 경향을 보인다. 특히 Rb 과 Sr은 Ca에 비례해서 감소한다. 희토류원소는 전 풍화단면에서 감소하는 경향을 보이는데 $Al_2$$O_3$에 대한 상대적인 변화량을 보면 경희토류원소는 사프롤라이트(saprolite)하부와 상부에서 부화되어 있고 중부 사프롤라이트와 토양층에서 감소하는 반면에 중희토류원소는 사프롤라이트 하부와 상부에서 감소하고 중부사프롤라이트 및 토양층에서 부화되는 경향을 보인다. 전반적으로 희토류원소의 원자번호가 클수록 손실율이 커진다. 이 풍화단면에서 원소의 거동은 각 풍화층의 pH와 생성된 이차광물의 조성에 지배를 받았다.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.122-144
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• 1993

The Kimhae napseok clay deposit was studied to characterize its mineralogy and genesis. Geology of the deposit is composed of Tertiary volcanic rocks and granodiorite. Tertiary volcanic rocks consist of andesitic tuff with minor interstratified tuffaceous shale, and rhyodacitic tuff. The main ore body of 2.4 to 4 m in thickness developed parallel to the bedding of andesitic tuff bed. Its strike and dip are $N70^{\circ}E-N85^{\circ}E$ and $16^{\circ}NW-32^{\circ}NW$, respectively. Two alteration zones; the propylitic zone of albite-epidote-chlorite-quartz assemblage and advanced argillic zone of pyrophyllite-dickite-alunite-diaspore assemblage are developed. Correlation of $SiO_2$ to $Al_2O_3$ shows no relation in propylitic zone, while a negative linear relation in advanced argillic zone. Chemical variation shows that $SiO_2$, $Al_2O_3$, MgO, CaO, $Na_2O$ and $K_2O$ were leached out during hydrothermal alteration. Pyrophyllite, the most abundant mineral in advanced argillic zone, occurs as low temperature 2M polytype. It is closely associated with dickite, diaspore and alunite. The Hinckley index of dickite is 0.83 showing moderate crystallinity. Na content is increasing in the M site with the increasing content of cations in the R-site. the mole percent of Na replacing K in alunite ranges from 53.2 to 71.6. It is also found that pyrophyllite grows in the dissolution site of diaspore. Plagioclase was albitized. Lowering of pH caused mainly by sulfide and sulfate decomposition resulted in preferential leaching of Si. It is inferred that aluminum released from plagioclase in the volcanic rocks as well as from the tuffaceous shale intercalated in andesitic tuff were the main sources of aluminum required for the formation of clay deposit. pH in hydrothermal fluid decreased from propylitic zone to advanced argillic zone with increasing degree of alteration. Based on experimental data reported in the literature and mineral assemblages, the formation temperature of the deposit ranges 270 to $320^{\circ}C$.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.213-222
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• 2018

Metasediment-hosted Pb-Zn mineralized zone has been found in Dyusembay of Kazakhstan. Its petrological properties, metal index, alteration index and redox-sensitivity are compared with those of SEDEX type deposit. Mineralization is developed along foliation of host rock (graphitic phyllite) and controlled by folds and faults; major ore minerals including pyrite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite, and galena are disseminated or interlayered with fine-grained quartz. The margin of the mineralized zone is metamorphosed accompanying sericite and chlorite. Hydrothermal brecciation and Pb-Zn mineralization formed in quartz-calcite stockworks are confirmed at the around of Maytyubin granitoid intrusions. The mineralization is classified into three types according to those of occurrence, paragenesis, chemical composition and isotopic characteristics. Type 1 whose fine-grained pyrite, pyrrhotite and sphalerite are formed in parallel yet discontinuous to well-developed foliations of the host rock; its geochemistry is similar to those of the earlier stage in SEDEX-type mineralization. In case of type 2, the ore minerals of which are concentrated being parallel to a foliation by regional metamorphism, and most of them associated with quartz and muscovite (${\pm}$ biotite) paragenetically. Type 3 is formed in the hydrothermal breccia zone whose ore minerals are controlled by foliation and breccia and developed in quartz ${\pm}$ calcite veins having a form such as stratification, stockwork or veinlets. Host rocks in the mineralized zone indicate homogeneous metamorphic grade and there is no specific alteration zonation. Also, all types (type 1, type 2, and type 3) represent similar REEs patterns, it can be interpreted that these are originated from a same source. Sulphides occurred in mineralized zone indicate a limited range of sulphur isotope values (type 2, ${\delta}^{34}S=-13.3{\sim}-11.7$‰; type 3, ${\delta}^{34}S=-13.9{\sim}-8.2$‰), and a result of geothermometry presents different temperature ranges: type 2($251{\pm}38^{\circ}C{\sim}277{\pm}40^{\circ}C$); type 3($360{\pm}2^{\circ}C$ to $537{\pm}29^{\circ}C$). It is estimated to be due to the effect of metamorphism and Maytyubin granitoid intrusions, respectively. In addition, ternary chart of thorium, scandium, and zircon for discrimination of tectonic setting and redox sensitivity using V/Mo values indicate that hydrothermal sediments put on reduction environment after precipitation, before being affected by metamorphism and intrusion activity. Geochemical data are plotted on a distal trend of SEDEX-type with discrimination plot using SEDEX index. As a result, petrological-geochemical properties demonstrate that Dyusembay Pb-Zn mineralized zone is comparable to distal-type of SEDEX deposit.