• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.421-433
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• 2023

The final disposal of spent nuclear fuel(SNF) from nuclear power plants takes place in a deep geological repository. The metal canister encasing the SNF is made of cast iron and copper, and is engineered to effectively isolate radioactive isotopes for a long period of time. The SNF is further shielded by a multi-barrier disposal system comprising both engineering and natural barriers. The deep disposal environment gradually changes to an anaerobic reducing environment. In this environment, sulfide is one of the most probable substances to induce corrosion of copper canister. Stress-corrosion cracking(SCC) triggered by sulfide can carry substantial implications for the integrity of the copper canister, potentially posing a significant threat to the long-term safety of the deep disposal repository. Sulfate can exist in various forms within the deep disposal environment or be introduced from the geosphere. Sulfate has the potential to be transformed into sulfide by sulfate-reducing bacteria(SRB), and this converted sulfide can contribute to the corrosion of the copper canister. Bentonite, which is considered as a potential material for buffering and backfilling, contains oxidized sulfate minerals such as gypsum(CaSO4). If there is sufficient space for microorganisms to thrive in the deep disposal environment and if electron donors such as organic carbon are adequately supplied, sulfate can be converted to sulfide through microbial activity. However, the majority of the sulfides generated in the deep disposal system or introduced from the geosphere will be intercepted by the buffer, with only a small amount reaching the metal canister. Pyrite, one of the potential sulfide minerals present in the deep disposal environment, can generate sulfates during the dissolution process, thereby contributing to the corrosion of the copper canister. However, the quantity of oxidation byproducts from pyrite is anticipated to be minimal due to its extremely low solubility. Moreover, the migration of these oxidized byproducts to the metal canister will be restricted by the low hydraulic conductivity of saturated bentonite. We have comprehensively analyzed and summarized key research cases related to the presence of sulfates, reduction processes, and the formation and behavior characteristics of sulfides and pyrite in the deep disposal environment. Our objective was to gain an understanding of the impact of sulfates and sulfides on the long-term safety of high-level radioactive waste disposal repository.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.109-122
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• 1986

Mn-Pb-Zn-Ag deposits of the Janggun mine are hosted in the Cambro-Ordovician Janggun limestone mostly along the contacts of the Jurassic Chunyang granite. The deposits are represented by several ore pipes and steeply dipping lenticular bodies consisting of lower Pb-Zn-Ag sulfide ores and upper manganese carbonate and oxide ores. The former consists mainly of arsenic, antimony, silver, manganese, and tin-bearing sulfides, whereas the latter are characterized by hypogene rhodochrosite, and superficial manganese oxides including todorokite, nsutite, pyrolusite, cryptomelane, birnesite and janggunite. Origin of the upper manganese ore deposits has been a controversial subject among geologists for this mine: hydrothermal metasomatic vs. syngenetic sedimentary origin. Syngenetic advocators have proposed a new sedimentary rock, rhodochrostone, which is composed mainly of rhodochrosite in mineralogy. In the present study, carbon, oxygen and sulfur isotopic compositions were analayzed obtaining results as follows: Rhodochrosite minerals, (Mn, Ca, Mg, Fe) $CO_3$, from hydrothermal veins, massive sulfide ores and replacement ores in dolomitic limestone range in isotopic value from -4.2 to -6.3‰ in ${\delta}^{13}C$(PDB) and +7.6 to +12.9‰ in ${\delta}^{18}O$(SMOW) with a mean value of -5.3‰ in ${\delta}^{13}C$ and +10.7‰ in ${\delta}^{18}O$. The rhodochrosite bearing limestone and dolomitic limestone show average isotopic values of -1.5‰ in ${\delta}^{13}C$ and +17.5‰ in ${\delta}^{18}O$, which differ from those of the rhodochrosite mentioned above. This implies that the carbon and oxygen in ore fluids and host limestone were not derived from an identical source. ${\delta}^{34}S$ values of sulfide minerals exhibit a narrow range, +2.0 to +5.0‰ and isotopic temperature appeared to be about $288{\sim}343^{\circ}C$. Calculated initial isotopic values of rhodochrosite minerals, ${\delta}^{18}O_{H_2O}=+6.6$ to +10.6‰ and ${\delta}^{13}C_{CO_2}=-4.0$ to -5.1 ‰, strongly suggest that carbonate waters should be deep seated in origin. Isotopic data of manganese oxide ores derived from hypogene rhodochrosites suggest that the oxygen of the limestone host rock rather than those of meteoric waters contribute to form manganese oxide ores above the water table.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.484-494
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• 2004

The Soowang Au-Ag deposits occur as quartz veins which filled fissures in middle Cretaceous porphyritic granite an/or gneiss of the Precambrian Sobaegsan gneiss complex. The paragenetic studies suggest that vein filling can be divided into four identifiable stages (I to IV). Stage I is the main sulfide stage, characterized by the deposition of base-metal sulfide and minor electrum. Stage II is the electrum stage, whereas stage III represents a period of the deposition of silver-bearing sulfosalts and minor electrum. Stage IV is the post ore stage. Mineralogical and fluid inclusion evidences suggest that mineralization of the Soowang deposits were deposited by the cooling of the fluids from initial high temperatures 300$^{\circ}C$ to later low temperatures 150$^{\circ}C$. The salinity of the fluids were moderate, ranging from 10.4wt.% equivalent NaCl in sphalerite to 3.1wt.% equivalent NaCl in barite. The gold-silver mineralization of the Soowang mine occurred at temperatures between 140 and 250$^{\circ}C$ from fluids with log $fs_2$ from -12 to -18 atm. A consideration of the pressure regime during ore deposition, based on the fluid inclusion evidence of boiling, suggests lithostatic pressure of less than 210 bars. This pressure condition indicates that vein system of the Soowang deposit formed at depth around 800 m below the surface at the time of gold-silver mineralization.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.463-472
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• 1998

The survey was carried out in order to delineate the occurrence of ore deposits and the mineralized characteristics in the Estancia de la Virgen area through the 1:2,000 scaled geological mapping and topographic measuring surveys. Gold-silver mineralization is in the fault block developed between the San Agustin Fault and Cabanas Fault. It is associated with ore bearing quartz veins controlled by the fault structure. The contents of Au and Ag range from traces up to 72 g/t and 180 g/t respectively. According to traversing the outcrops, the quartz veins are traced by 0.5 Km trended to north and south. In those extended part, they continue for 1,000 m intermittently. Gold-silver mineralization could be divided into three stages. In the first stage, pyrite, galena, sphalerite, and chalcopyrite were formed with the primary silver and gold associated with galena and copper sulfides respectively. In the second stage, Cu-Bi-Au-Ag bearing sulfides such as chalcocite, covellite, and linarite are formed and usually deposited on the cataclastic fractures of galena and/or chalcopyrite. In the third stage, both the carbonation of galena and sphalerite and the sulphatization of galena, took place in the surface environment. And then primary silver was carried away off and was deposited on galena and/or copper sulfides during oxidation near the water table. Low partitionings of Fe in sphalerite assist that the minerals were formed at the relatively low temperature, which is coincided with previously reported homogenization temperature of fluid inclusions.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.153-163
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• 2013

The Ogcheon Au-Ag deposit consists of two quartz veins that fill the NE or NW-trending fissures in the metasedimentary rocks of unknown age. The quartz veins occur mainly in the massive type with partially breccia and cavity. They can be found along the strike for about minimum 50 m and varied in thickness from 0.1 to 0.3 m. The mineralogy of quartz veins from the Ogcheon deposit is mainly composed of hydrothermal alteration minerals such as pyrite, quartz, sericite, chlorite, clay minerals and sulfides including pyrite, pyrrhotite, arsenopyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite and galena. Fluid inclusion data from quartz indicate that homogenization temperatures and salinity of mineralization range from 184 to $362^{\circ}C$ and from 0.0 to 6.6 wt.% eq. NaCl, respectively. These suggest that ore forming fluids were progressively cooled and diluted from mixing with meteoric water. Sulfur(${\delta}^{34}S$: 0.4~8.4‰) isotope composition indicates that ore sulfur was derived from mainly magmatic source although there is a partial derivation from the host rocks. The calculated oxygen(${\delta}^{18}O$: 4.9~12.1‰) and hydrogen(${\delta}D$: -92~-74‰) isotope compositions suggest that magmatic and meteoric ore fluids were equally important for the formation of the Ogcheon deposit and then overlapped to some degree with another type of meteoric water during mineralization.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.965-974
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• 2009

This study evaluated the degradation efficiency of malodorous sulfurized-organic compounds by utilizing N- and Sdoped titanium dioxide under visible-light irradiation, and examined the catalyst deactivation and regeneration. Catalyst surface was characterized by employing Fourier-Transform-Infrared-Red (FTIR) spectra. The visible-light-driven photocatalysis techniques were able to efficiently degrade low-level dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) with degradation efficiencies exceeding 97%, whereas they were not effective regarding the removal of high-level DMS and DMDS, with degradation efficiencies of 84 and 23% within 5 hrs of photocatalytic processes. As compared with DMS, DMDS which containes one more sulfur element revealed quick catalyst deactivation. Catalyst deactivation was confirmed by the equality between input and output concentrations of DMD or DMDS, the obsevation of no $CO_2$ generation during a photocatalytic process, and the FTIR spectrum peaks related with sulfur ion compounds, which are major byproducts formed on catalyst surfaces. The mineralization efficiency of DMS at 8 ppm, which was a peak value during a photocatalytic process, was calculated as 144%, exceeding 100%. The catalyst regenerated by high-temperature calcination exhibited higher catalyst recovery efficiency (53 and 58% for DMDS and DMS, respectively) as compared with dry-air and humid-air regeneration processes. However, even the calcined method was unable to totally regenerate deactivated catalysts.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.110-115
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• 1998

Self-potential, VLF-EM and dipole-dipole resistivity methods have been widely used for exploration of conductive sulfide ore deposit, because of the convenience and low cost of field work and the reliability of their results. The geophysical responses for vein-type sulfide outcrop of Changkoom mine located in Bukwi-Myon, Jinan-Gun, Chollabuk-Do were investigated and compared with its drilling results. The geology around the survey area is composed of acidic volcanics and sediments of Yuchon Group. And sulfides bearing pyrite, pyrrotite, galena etc. are deposited in disseminated or vein type within acidic volcanics. Typical geophysical responses were detected from the above vein type ore body, respectively. From the shape and extent of S.P. anomaly, ore body is dipping westward and extending about 50 m. It is detected that the VLF EM response matching the outline of ore zone is considered as indication of dyke dipping westward. And also resistivity response indicating conductive dipping dyke is detected. From drilling results for outcrop and geophysical anomalies, the shape of ore body is vein type dipping about $70^{\circ}W$ and extending about 50 m.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.265-276
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• 1986

The Jangseong manganese deposits are supergene oxidation products of hydrothermal rhodochrosite. The manganese ore veins are developed in the Dongjeom Quartzite, and Dumudong Formation. The deposits consist of primary manganese carbonate ores in the deeper part and manganese oxide ores near the surface. The manganese carbonate ores are composed of rhodochrosite and small amounts of sulfides. The manganese oxide ores are composed of birnessite, nsutite, todorokite, chalcophanite, and pyrolusite. Microscopic, X-ray diffraction, infrared, thermal and EPMA analyses have been made for manganese oxide minerals and other associated minerals. The manganese minerals were formed in the following sequence. Rhodochrosite$\rightarrow$birnessite$\rightarrow$todorokite$\rightarrow$nsutite-pyrolusite. Thermochemical properties of chalcophanite were studied by methods of X-ray powder diffraction, infrared absorption spectroscopic analysis and dehydration experiments. Chalcophanite changes to $4.8{\AA}$ phase at $90{\sim}110^{\circ}C$. Chemical analyses show that the manganese oxide minerals generally have high concentration in Zn.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.39 no.5 s.180
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• pp.583-595
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• 2006

Quartz veins from the Hwawon area are an epithermal quartz vein that is filling the fault zone within Precambrian metasedimentary rocks and Jurassic granite. Mineralization can be divided into hypogene and supergene stages. Hypogene stage is associated with hydrothermal alteration minerals(propylitic and argillic zones) such as epidote, chlorite, illite, sericite and sulfides such as pyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, galena, bornite, cubanite, argentian tetrahedrite, Pb-Ag-S system and Pb-Te-S system. Supergene stage is composed of Fe-Mn oxide, Zn-Fe oxide and Pb oxide. Fluid inclusion data indicate that homogenization temperatures and salinity of hypogene stage range from $291.2^{\circ}C$ to $397.3^{\circ}C$ and from 0.0 to 9.3 wt.% eq. NaCl, respectively. It suggests that ore forming fluids were cooled and diluted with the mixing of meteoric water. Oxygen($-0.7{\sim}3.5%_{\circ}$(white quartz: $-0.7{\sim}3.5%_{\circ}$, transparent quartz: $2.4%_{\circ}$)) and hydrogen($-70{\sim}55%_{\circ}$(white quartz: $-70{\sim}55%_{\circ}$, transparent quartz: $-62%_{\circ}$)) isotopic composition indicates that hydrothermal fluids were derived from magmatic and evolved by mixing with meteoric water during mineralization.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.87-101
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• 2018

The Manjang deposit developed in the Hwajeonri formation of the Okcheon metamorphic belt consists of the Central and Main orebodies of Cu-bearing hydrothermal vein type and the Western orebody of Fe-skarn type. This study focuses on the Cu mineralization of the Central and Main orebodies to compare with the genetic environments of the Western orebody previously studied. The Central orebody produced pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite as major ore minerals with vein texture, while the Main orebody contains pyrite, arsenopyrite, and chalcopyrite as major ore minerals with vein, massive, and brecciated texture. Sphalerite, galena, magnetite, ilmenite, rutile, cassiterite, wolframite, and stannite are also accompanied. Local occurrence of skarn is dominated by grossular and hedenbergite, reflecting the reduced condition of the skarnization. Geothermometries of sphalerite-stannite in the Central orebody and arsenopyrite-pyrite in the Main orebody indicate the formation temperature of $204-263^{\circ}C$ and $383-415^{\circ}C$, respectively. Sulfur fugacity of $10^{-6}-10^{-7}atm$. in the Main orebody decreased toward the Central orebody. Sulfur isotope compositions of sulfide minerals from the Central and Main orebodies are 4.6-7.9‰ and 4.3-7.0‰, respectively, reflecting magmatic origin with slight influence by host rock. Considering ore mineralogy, texture as well as physicochemical conditions, the Main and Central orebodies of hydrothermal Cu mineralization reflect the characteristics of proximal and distal type ore mineralization, respectively, related to hidden igneous rocks, and they were generated under different hydrothermal systems from the Fe-skarn Western orebody.