• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.13-24
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• 2004

This study was carried out to plan the prevention of the generation and discharge of Acid Rock Drainage (ARD). The Acid Base Accounting(ABA) test was performed for geological materials such as pit wall, waste rock and stream sediments near the Imgi abandoned pyrophyllite mine in Busan, Korea. In addition, hydraulic characteristics were tested with the disk tension infiltrometer around the waste rock dump. Maximum Potential Acidity(MPA) of geological materials near the Imgi mine was 246.942kg $H_2SO_4/t$, and maximum Acid Neutralising Capacity(ANC) was 8.7kg $H_2SO_4/t$. These results indicate the pit wall and waste rock, except most of stream sediments are acid generating geological materials. These have salt and free hydrogen ion which resulted from oxidation of sulfides. Hence they could be convert rain water to acid rock drainage. Although the waste rock dump of the Imgi mine have very low infiltration rate, slopes of the waste rock dump have many "V" type erosion gullies and multi-layers. These gullies and multi-layers have coarse clastic particle layers which have very large hydraulic conductivity. Through this coarse clastic particle layer a large part of rain flow into ground. And also this layer could function as aeration path which induced oxidation of sulfide minerals and generation of ARD continuously.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.385-398
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• 1999

The Narim gold mine is located approimately 200km southeast of Seoul within the Muju mineralized district of the Sobaegsan gneiss complex, Korea. Environmental geochemistry were undertaken for various kinds of water (surface, ground and mine water) collected of April, September and November in 1998 from the narim mine creek. Hydrogeochemical compositions of water samples are characterized by the relatively significant enrichment of Na+K, alkali ions, $HCO_{3}$, $NO_{3}$, Cl and F in groundwater, wheras the mine and surface waters are relatively enriched in Ca+Mg, hea표 metals and $SO_{4}$. Therefore, the groundwaters belong to the (Na+Ca)-( $HCO_{3}+SO_{4}$) type, respectively. The pH and EC values of the non-mining creek surfers are relatively lower compared with those of the surface water of the mine and ore dump area. The d values ($\delta$D-8$\delta^{18}$O) of all kinds of water from the Narim mine creek are 5.8 to 13.1 The range of $\delta$D and $\delta^{18}$O values (relative to SMOW) are shown in distinct two groups as follows: for the April waters of -64.8 to -67.8$\textperthousand$ and -9.6 to -10.0$\textperthousand$(d value=10.1 to 13.1), and for the November waters of -65.9 to -70.2$\textperthousand$ and -9.3 to -9.6$\textperthousand$ (d value=5.8 to 7.9), respectively. This range variation indicates that two group water were composed of distinct waters with seasonal difference. Geochemical modeling showed that mostly toxic metals (As, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) may exist largery in the from of metal $(M2^+)$ and metal-sulfate $(MSO_4\;^{2-$\mid$),\; and \;SO_4^{2-$\mid$}$ concentration influenced the speciation of heavy metals in the meteoric water. These metals in the groundwater could be formed of $CO_3 \;and \;(OH)_3$ complex ions. Using computer program, saturation index of albite, calcite, dolomite in meteoric water show undersaturated and progreddively evolved toward the saturation state, however, ground and mine water are nearly saturated. The gibbsited water-mineral reaction and stabilities suggest that the weathering of silicate minerals may be stable kaolinite, illite and Nasmectite. The clay minerals will be transformed to more stable kaolinite owing to the contiunous reaction.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.337-347
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• 1993

Mineralogical and geochemical studies on some pyrophyllite deposits in Milyang area, Kyeongnam Province (Milyang and Sungjin mine) were carried out in order to investigate dispersion patterns of chemical elements in altered volcanic wallrocks, and to interpret genetic environments of the pyrophyllite deposits. Cretaceous andesitic and tuffaceous rocks, and pyrophyllite ore specimens were collected from the dumps and drilling cores. Andesitic wallrocks were grouped as unaltered and altered rocks in the order of pyrophyllitization. Vertical dispersion patterns and relative mobilities of chemical elements in volcanic wallrocks were discussed. Geochemical environment in the Milyang area is characterized by the occurrence of boron minerals such as dumortierite coexisting with pyrophyllite ores, and tourmaline in granitic rocks. Unaltered andesitic rocks are mainly composed of plagioclase, pyroxene and hornblende, and were propylitized and saussuritized. Altered andesitic rocks are bleached and consist of quartz, sericite, pyrophyllite, kaolinite, chlorite and disseminated pyrite. Pyrophyllite ores are mainly composed of quartz, pyrophyllite, dumortierite, dissemianted pyrite and some diaspore. Enrichment of $SiO_2$, $Al_2O_3$, LOI (loss on ignition), As and Cr, and depletion of $K_2O$, $Na_2O$, CaO, MgO and total Fe are characteristic during alteration process. The REE patterns show that the pyrophyllite deposits could be originated from the continental margin volcanics. The $(La/Lu)_{cn}$ ratios of the pyrophyllite ores increase from 4.2~23.2 to 2.67~128.8 owing to strong acidic hydrothermal alteration. Vertical dispersion patterns of $Al_2O_3$, $K_2O$, $Na_2O$, CaO, MgO, $Fe_2O_3$ (total Fe), As, Au, Sb, Cr and Sr in the wallrocks show the location of orebodies. Particularly dispersion patterns of $Al_2O_3$ and Cr indicate the extension of orebodies. Anomalous distribution of Au, As and Sb in wallrocks shows potential for gold occurrence below the pyrophyllite deposits. Judging from the relative mobilities of elements in wallrocks, $Al_2O_3$ could be added from hydrothermal solution, and the silicified rone be formed from the excess of $SiO_2$.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.213-219
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• 2015

Samples from soils and crops were collected and analyzed in order to investigate the interactions of selenium among rocks, soils, and crops by hydrothermal alteration near epithermal mines in the region of Mio-san, Haenam. Soil samples included 6 samples each from mountain and farm area and compositional minerals and their contents were analyzed by water content, pH, ICP, XRD, XRF. Crop samples from onion and scallion were analyzed for chemical composition to elucidate the relationship with soils. Results from XRD analysis for soil samples showed that major compositional minerals are qualtz and feldspar, and illite, chlorite, hematite formed by hydrothermal alteration were included on a small scale. The pH ranges of soil samples from mountain and farm were measured at 4.6~4.9 and 5.2~6.7, respectively. The higher pH in farm soils may result from fertilization during agricultural activities. Results from ICP analysis showed that, compared to soil samples from mountain area with no potassium and calcium, significant amount of K and Ca were detected in soil samples from farms which is affected by fertilization. In a similar manner, potassium and calcium were absorbed and detected in crop samples at relatively high concentrations (116.89~169.79 ppm for K and 20.18~32.29 ppm for Ca). While the selenium contents in soil samples ranged from 18.35 ppb to 70.31 ppb which showed no significant difference, high concentrations of selenium were detected in onion (119.48~179.50 ppb) and scallion (146.65 ppb). These difference in enrichment for each element may result from the distinctive adsorption characteristics depending on crops.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.477-490
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• 2010

The Gagok stratabound skarn deposit is the result of the intrusion of the Cretaceous granitic pluton into the Paleozoic calcareous rocks. The subvolcanic intrusion ranges in composition from quartz monzonite to granite porphyry with I-type, calc-alkaline and weakly peraluminous characteristics. Both endoskarn and exoskarn are developed at the Gagok Zn-(Pb) deposit, with more exoskarn than endoskarn. Geochemical and mineralogical characteristics in the Seongok and Wolgok orebodies can be treated in terms of self-organization. Sphalerites in the Gagok ore can also incorporate minor amounts of Mn, Cd, Cu and In. Trace element concentrations in different orebodies vary because fractionation of a given element into sphalerite is influenced by formation temperature and the amount of sphalerite in the ore. A group of high In/Zn and Cd/Zn ratios in ores, and low Mn/Fe ratios in sphalerites are correlated with proximal processes of a magmatic source. The pattern of minor/trace element variations in ores and sphalcrites can be used for petrogenetic interprctation, e.g., orebody zonation related to crystallization temperature and fluid d sources.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.21-39
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• 2010

In this paper, water consumption annually for industries in Korea was estimated for the first time and based on this, an input-output model was prepared for water consumption analysis. Also making use of this, the direct and indirect water consumption effect according to industrial activities was analyzed and the total effect based on volume was broken down into each factor. The amount of water consumed for industries in Korea (excluding agriculture, forestry and fishery) was estimated about 7 billion and 692 million ton in 2003(excluding sea water). Classifying by industry, the one for electric power & water service accounted for almost half, 49.5%, metalworking industry for 24.3% and chemical industry for 5.0%. As the result of estimation for the direct and indirect water consumption inducement coefficients, the amount of water consumed per the production of one million won ranked the highest for electric power & water service as 113.8 ton and the next highest ones ranked as 49.6 ton for the first metalworking, 16.8 ton for textile and leather goods, and 11.9 ton for general machinery respectively. In the meantime, as the result of breaking down into each factor of total amount of water consumed by industry, it appeared that the ripple effect having on other industries was more than the direct effect.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.297-310
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• 1998

Geochemical characteristics of environmental toxic elements at the Narim mine area were investigated on the basis of major, minor, rare earth element geochemistry and mineralogy. Ratios of $Al_2O_3/Na_2O$ and $K_2O/Na_2O$ in soils and sediments range from 11.57 to 22.21 and from 1.86 to 3.93, and are partly negative and positive correlation against $SiO_2/Al_2O_3$ (3.41 to 4.78), respectively. These suggested that sediment source of host granitic gneiss could be due to rocks of high grade metamorphism originated by sedimentary rocks. Characteristics of some trace and rare earth elements of V/Ni (0.33 to 1.95), Ni/Co (2.00 to 6.50), Zr/Hf (11.27 to 53.10), La/Ce (0.44 to 0.55), Th/Yb (4.07 to 7.14), La/Th (2.35 to 3.93), $La_N/Yb_N$ (6.58 to 13.67), Co/Th (0.63 to 2.68), La/Sc (3.29 to 5.94) and Sc/Th (0.49 to 1.00) are revealed a narrow range and homogeneous compositions may be explained by simple source lithology. Major elements in all samples are enriched $Al_2O_3$, MgO, $TiO_2$ and LOI, especially $Fe_2O_3$ (mean=7.36 wt.%) in sediments than the composition of host granitic gneiss. The average enrichment indices of major and rare earth elements from the mining drainage are 2.05 and 2.91 of the sediments and are 2.02 and 2.60 of the soils, normalizing by composition of host granitic gneiss, respectively. Average composition (ppm) of minor and/or environmental toxic elements in sediments and soils are Ag=14 and 1, As=199 and 14, Cd=22 and 1, Cu=215 and 42, Pb=1770 and 65, Sb=18 and 3, Zn=3333 and 170, respectively, and extremely high concentrations are found in the subsurface sediments near the ore dump. Environmental toxic elements were strongly enriched in all samples, especially As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb and Zn. The level of enrichment was very severe in mining drainage sediments, while it was not so great in the soils. Based on the EPA value, enrichment index of toxic elements is 8.63 of mining drainage sediments and 0.54 of soils on the mining drainage. Mineral composition of soils and sediments near the mining area were partly variable being composed of quartz, mica, feldspar, amphibole, chlorite and clay minerals. From the gravity separated mineralogy, soils and sediments are composed of some pyrite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, goethite and various hydroxide minerals.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.395-406
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• 1997

Some RE (Zr, Nb, REE) ore deposits are located in the middle part of the Korean peninsula. Geotectonically, the RE ore deposits situated on the Kyemyeongsan Formation of northern margin of the Okcheon geosynclinal belt and in the transitional zone between Kyeonggi massif and Okcheon belt. The rare metal deposits distributed in Kyemyeongsan Formation which consists of schist and alkaline granite. The alkali granite has suffered extensive post-magmatic metasomatism and hydrothermal processes. The ore contains mainly Ce-La, Ta-Nb, Y, Y-Nb, Ti-Nb-(U), Nd-Th group minerals. Fergusonite, one of Nb-Y rich REE minerals belonging to the A-B oxides, is most common mineral in the rare metal deposits. The fergusonite bearing rocks may be devided into four types by occurrence features and mineral association, that is, zircon type, allanite vein, feldspar type, and fluorite type. Fergusonites show wide variations in optical properties, due to part of differences in their chemical composition (depending on the types), but also the degree of crystalinity of the individual specimens. Fergusonite metamicts enclosed in biotite are generally surrounded by well developed pleochroic haloes. Usually, fergusonite is accompanied with zircon and other REE-bearing minerals. Petrographical and chemical data are presented for fergusonites which collected different types. $Nb_2O_3$ and $Y_2O_3$ contents range from 48.51 to 53.01 wt.% and 29.18 to 42.02 wt.% respectively. Also, $ThO_2$, (1.83~6.93), $UO_2$, (0.17~2.84), ${\sum}RE_2O_3$ (except to Y) (1.11~8.73), and $TiO_2$, (0.19~1.19 wt.%) contents show variational compositions according to fergusonite types. The ${\sum}RE_2O_3$ of fergusonites are positive relation with $Y_2O_3$ and negative relaton with $ThO_2$ and $({\sum}{RE_2O_3}-{Y_2O_3})$. The $Nb_2O_3$ is sightly negative relation with $Ta_2O_3$. Back-scattered electron microscope images (BEI) of fergusonite show the mineral composition and textural feature is very complicated. The variation of Nb, Th and REE content of fergusonite and the modes of occurrence of mineral, suggests that REE may have been mobilized during the circulation of hydrothermal fluids related to contact metamorphism (metasomatism). The chemical variation of the fergusonites with occurrences and mineral association can be related to metasomatism of alkaline fluid was probably the dominant ore-forming process in Chungju district.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.85-96
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• 2017

Gold mineralization of Samjeong and Yongjang gold mines in Uichang area shows characteristics of Bonanza-type gold deposits. Ores are mainly developed along the contact parts between quartz vein and arkosic sandstone beds(Fe-rich bed) in sedimentary rock. Electrum, silver sulfide and sulfate minerals are mainly in the ores. On the other hand, gold mineralization is less developed in cherty rock and andesitic rock than arkosic sandstone. The study highlights characteristics of gold precipitation in the deposit on the basis of numerical modelling of the reactions between the assumed hydrothermal ore fluids with multicomponent heterogeneous equilibrium calculations. Aqueous species, gases and minerals, containing electrum are included in the calculations. The reaction result between hydrothermal ore fluids and arkosic sandstone show that pH increasing in the ore-forming fluid would trigger precipitation of quartz, chlorite, sericite, chalcopyrite, galena, pyrite, electrum, actinolite and feldspar. The numerical modelling also illustrates the drastic increase of pH and desulfidation lead to precipitation of electrum. Ag/Au ratios in the ore vary with pH conditions and subsequently precipitation of silver-bearing sulfides such as acanthite and polybasite. The modelling of the reaction between andesitic rock and ore-forming fluid shows that mineral assemblages of the case are analogous to ones of the reaction between arkosic sandstone and fluid except the latter has little portion of electrum. The abovementioned modelling results suggest that gold-silver mineralization is bounded by host rocks at the study area.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.197-212
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• 2020

This study was carried out material characteristics and firing conditions for some potteries in early and middle Neolithic period at the Munamri sites, where the first farmland remails were found in Korea. It is divided into six kinds of surface patterns for potteries such as the raised, bamboo tube and red painted (patternless) from the early Neolithic period (BC 4000 to 6000), and the patterns of horizontal herringbone, short slanted lined or lattice and incised thick line in the middle Neolithic period (BC 3000 to 4000), respectively. Based on the color measures, redness and yellowness of potteries were relatively high as condition of oxidation firings, were also observed black cores on the cross section of potteries. The firing temperature is divided into two groups having under 800℃ and 800to 900℃, the difference in patterns of the potteries are not confirmed. As a microtextures, the bamboo tube pattern potteries show the sericitization biotite, the quartz have developed a suture line textures, and altered alkali feldspars are occurred. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the main minerals contained in potteries are chlorite and amphibole besides quartz, alkali feldspar and biotite. Considering the geology around the Munamri area is the biotite amphibole granite and soil layers within 10km radius are used as the raw materials for the potteries. The raw materials are presumed that the sources from the metamorphic rocks along the water systems through the mountains around the sites on the basis of well developed suture line textured quartz in potteries. Results on normalized geochemical compositions, the potteries by surface patterns are very similar to sources, and it is judged that was made by using the surrounding soils despite the long time difference from the early to middle in the Neolithic period.