• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.371-377
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• 1997

This paper presents the geophysical applications to the environmenml problem in an abandoned mine area. We would like to focus our attention on the mapping of the soil contamination and the detection of the buried mine tailings. For mapping the soil contamination. measurements of both in-situ magnetic susceptibility (k) and terrain conductivity were carried out. In-situ magnetic susceptibilities of the contaminated soil due to the acid mine drainage show higher values than those of the uncontaminated area. However. those data do not show the correlation with the degree of the soil contamination observed on the surface. The least-squares fitted formula obtained with the measured insitu magnetic susceptibilities is $k=4.8207{\times}W^{0.6332}$, where W is the $Fe^{+2}$ weight percentage. This weight gives most effect to magnetic susceptibility of the soil. Lateral variations of the soil contamination in the shallow subsurface can be detected by the electrical conductivity distributions from EM induction survey. TDIP (Time Domain Induced Polarization) and EM induction surveys were conducted to detect the buried mine tailings. From the results of TDIP, the spatial zone, which shows high chargeability-low resistivity, is interpreted as the buried mine tailings. Therefore, it is concluded that it is possible to discriminate the spatial zone from the uncontaminated ground.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.56-63
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• 2002

Tracing the history of study, problems of seawater intrusion are commonly investigated with electrical techniques because seawater saturated zone is indicative of the low resistivity anomaly. There we, however, silt and mud layers in the western and southern coastal areas of Korea, so we may make a mistake in case we determine seawater intrusion only with resistivity survey. Hence, reference IP survey was carried out in Kimje, Jeollabuk-Do and Youngkwang, Jeollanam-Do in order to decide whether or not the area is under the influence of seawater intrusion. With the use of a electric field cable to minimize EM coupling, we obtained more accurate results by appling reference If technique measuring simultaneously wavelet of current as well as potential. With the aid of reference IP technique, it is possible that we can exactly evaluate seawater intrusion by discriminating seawater saturated area (no IP effect) from very highly conductive layer composed of clay mineral (high IP effect).

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.111-125
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• 2022

Since landslide can cause huge damages to many facilities, close characterization of slopes is needed for appropriate reinforcements for the unstable ones in order to prevent the damages. Geophysical surveys, which can characterize a large area at a relatively low cost without disturbing slopes, have been widely employed for the assessment of slope stability in other countries. However, only conventional direct investigation methods are mainly used in Korea. In this paper, we analyzed various cases, which evaluated slope stabilities by characterizing slopes using geophysical exploration. First, we introduced changes in geophysical properties due to unstable media of slope like fracture location, fracture connectivity and distribution of groundwater level, and subsequently discussed the applicability of geophysical methods to the detection of the changes; the methods include electrical resistivity survey, seismic survey, self-potential survey, induced polarization survey and ground penetrating radar. Based on this description, we analyzed how geophysical surveys were performed on various slopes.

• 한국지구물리탐사학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2004.08a
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• pp.70-83
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• 2004

The safety diagnosis of cultural assets is Primarily focused on its non-destructiveness. Research on the nondestructive diagnosis and conservation of masonry cultural heritage is the key which is considered by technologic kernel. Geophyscial Prospecting as nondestructive diagnostic technology plays an important role in the characterization of the foundation of stone pagodas. It is natural that understanding of shallow subsurface condition beneath them is essential for their structural safety diagnosis. As an example, the nondestructive geophysical methods were applied to two three-story stone pagodas, Seokgatap (height 10.8 m, width 4.4 m, weight 82.3 ton) and Dabotap (height 10.4 m, width 7.4 m, weight 123.2 ton) which were built in 791 at Bulkuksa temple. An earlier archaeological investigation shows that stone pagodas have experienced severe weathering process and are slightly leaning, which will threaten their stability At the base part of Dabotap, an offset of the stone alignment is also observed. Direct measurements of ultrasonic velocities was introduced for the mechanical properties of the stone The velocity ranges of ultrasonic waves for Dabotap and Seokgatap are 1217${\~}$4403 m/s and 584${\~}$5845 m/s, respectively, and the estimated averages of the uniaxial compressive strength are 463 kg/$cm^2$ and 409 kg/$cm^2$, respectively. Site characteristics, around the pagodas are determined by the measurement of multiple properties such as seismic velocity, resistivity, image of ground-penetrating radar, On the basis of the higher velocity structure, the site of Seokgatap appears to have solider stability than the Seokgatap site. Near the pagodas, higher(up to 2200 $\Omega$m) resistivity is present whereas their outskirts have as low as 200 $\Omega$m. By the combined results of each geophyscial methods, the subsurface boundaries of two stone pagodas are revealed. The Dabotap site is in the form of an octagon having 6-m-long side with the depth of ${\~}$4 m, whereas the Seokgatap site is the 8 ${\times}$ 10 m rectangle with the depth of 3 m. These subsurface structures appear to reflect the original foundations constructed against the stone load of ${\~}8 ton/m^2$. At the subsurface beneath the northeast of each pagoda, low seismic velocity as well as low resistivity is prominent. It is interpreted to represent the weak underground condition which Is the possible cause of the slightly leaning pagodas toward the NNW.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 1999

We investigated the weathering characteristics of On-Yang gneiss by means of geological survey and Ground Penetrating Radar(GPR). The results of geological survey and boring show the two sets of vertical joint and horizontal joint developed by foliation which is composed of salic and melanic layers. GPR section evidently shows foliation direction and differential weathering due to discontinuity and mineral composition of metamorphic rock. The GPR section for instantaneous phase attribute based on complex trace analysis evidently shows continuity and foliation direction of metamorphic rock. The strong reflection amplitude which is derived from the banded structure of weathered rock can be incorrectly interpreted as a reflection of bedrock. The depth of rock basement should be estimated from the overall exploration result such as boring, seismic method, and electrical resistivity method.

• 한국지구물리탐사학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2006.06a
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• pp.213-219
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• 2006

The Yongjang mine is located in Masan City, Gyeongsangnamdo, which consists of a black shale possessing quartzite veins with othercompositions such as gold, silver, and sublimated sulfur. The average width of the veins is $9{\sim}17cm$ and the average degrees of the gold and silver are 3.6 g/t and 113.6 g/t respectively. A regional and a detailed scale electrical resistivity surveys are conducted to determine the existence of the mineralization zones and the linear structures in the study area. In addition, surveys of a several different array methods are conducted such as dipole-dipole array in the surface and borehole-to-surface array, surface-to-borehole array, and dipole-dipole array in the borehole. The method of element division can be applied to the region in which the borehole is curved, inclined or the distance between the electrodes is shorter than that of nodal points, because the coordinate of each electrode cannot be assigned directly to the nodal point if several electrodes are in an element. Yongjang vein is extended longer under the subsurface than on the surface in the images reconstructed from the 3D inversion. Therefore, it is recognized that the 3-D interpretation of the electrical resistivity survey is a very useful method to figure out the existence of strike and extension direction because the mineralization zones and the linear structures are shown in each depth.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.525-534
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• 2014

Environmental problems typically occurring in abandoned mine lands (AML) include: contaminated and acidic surface water and groundwater; stockpiled waste rock and mill tailings; and ground subsidences due to mining operations. This study examines the effectiveness of various geophysical techniques for mapping potential hazard and contaminated zones. Four AML sites with sedimentation contamination problems, acid mine drainage (AMD) channels, ground subsidence, manmade liner leakage, and buried mine tailings, were selected to examine the applicability of various geophysical methods to the identification of the different types of mine hazards. Geophysical results were correlated to borehole data (core samples, well logs, tomographic profiles, etc.) and water sample data (pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and heavy metal contents). Zones of low electrical resistivity (ER) corresponded to areas contaminated by heavy metals, especially contamination by Cu, Pb, and Zn. The main pathways of AMD leachate were successfully mapped using ER methods (low anomaly peaks), self-potential (SP) curves (negative peaks), and ground penetrating radar (GPR) at shallow penetration depths. Mine cavities were well located based on composite interpretations of ER, seismic tomography, and well-log records; mine cavity locations were also observed in drill core data and using borehole image processing systems (BIPS). Damaged zones in buried manmade liners (used to block descending leachate) were precisely detected by ER mapping, and buried rock waste and tailings piles were characterized by low-velocity zones in seismic refraction data and high-resistivity zones in the ER data.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.371-388
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• 2023

A stratum with a complex composition and a distributed low-permeability soil layer is difficult to remediate quickly because the soil remediation does not proceed easily. For efficient purification, the permeability should be improved and the soil remediation agent (H₂O₂) should be injected into the contaminated section to make sufficient contact with the TPH (Total petroleum hydrocarbons). This study analyzed a method for crack formation and effective delivery of the soil remediation agent based on pneumatic fracturing, plasma blasting, and vacuum suction (the PPV method) and compared its improvement effect relative to chemical oxidation. A demonstration test confirmed the effective delivery of the soil remediation agent to a site contaminated with TPH. The injection amount and injection time were monitored to calculate the delivery characteristics and the range of influence, and electrical resistivity surveying qualitatively confirmed changes in the underground environment. Permeability tests also evaluated and compared the permeability changes for each method. The amount of soil remediation agent injected was increased by about 4.74 to 7.48 times in the experimental group (PPV method) compared with the control group (chemical oxidation); the PPV method allowed injection rates per unit time (L/min) about 5.00 to 7.54 times quicker than the control method. Electrical resistivity measurements assessed that in the PPV method, the diffusion of H₂O₂2 and other fluids to the surface soil layer reduced the low resistivity change ratio: the horizontal change ratio between the injection well and the extraction well decreased the resistivity by about 1.12 to 2.38 times. Quantitative evaluation of hydraulic conductivity at the end of the test found that the control group had 21.1% of the original hydraulic conductivity and the experimental group retained 81.3% of the initial value, close to the initial permeability coefficient. Calculated radii of influence based on the survey results showed that the results of the PPV method were improved by 220% on average compared with those of the control group.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.3-17
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• 2002

Data analysis of groundwater monitoring wells and geostatistical methods are used to identify the local characteristics of sea water intrusion and the range of sea water intrusion at the southeastern coastal area of Busan, Korea. Rainfall and groundwater level of two monitoring wells show a linear correlation because of the direct groundwater recharge by the precipitation. However, rainfall and electric conductivity have the inverse relationship because of the increase of groundwater. Electric conductivity rapidly increased at 24m depth and exceeded 20,000$\mu\textrm{s}$/cm near 26m depth in the monitoring wells. The variations of groundwater level and electric conductivity show that the interface between sea water and fresh water tends to move upward when groundwater level goes down. In the cross correlation analysis, groundwater level versus rainfall represents the largest cross correlation coefficient in 0 time lag but the cross correlation coefficient of electric conductivity versus rainfall is the largest when the time lag is 9 days. This suggests that the fluctuations of groundwater level respond to rainfall in a short time, but the interface between sea water and fresh water respond very slow to rainfall. Horizontal extents of sea water intrusion are estimated to 14 m from the east of Line 1, and 25 m from the southeast end of Line 2 in the inversion of dipole-dipole profiling data of two survey lines. The data of VES by the Schulumberger array in May and July show lognormal distributions. In the kriged apparent resistivity and earth resistivity distributions, the resistivities of July are increased comparing to those of May. This reflects that the concentration of sea water in aquifer is reduced due to the increased groundwater recharge from the rainfall in June and July. In analyzing the vertical and horizontal apparent resistivities and earth resistivity distributions, the geostatistical methods are very useful to identify the variations of earth resistivity distributions at the coastal area.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.99-108
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• 2008

To extend our detailed knowledge for the Hwasan caldera, we carried out magnetotelluric (MT) survey, which is pretty sensitive to electrical property variation in both horizontal and vertical direction of subsurface, across the Hwasan caldera with the direction of EW. The 2-D inversion results of observed MT data lead to following conclusions. Firstly, the depth of the basin basement inferred by the MT inversion results matches well with that suggested by previous potential studies, but the basement resistivity seems fairly low when compared to that of general case. This feature might be related with the large-scaled, highly conductive layer beneath the Euisung Sub-basin suggested by the previous MT study. Secondly, the high resistivity zones reaching to 4000 $\Omega{\cdot}m$ are imaged around two external ring fault boundaries. These zones are thought of as the response of the rhyolitic dykes intruding along the ring fault, and in the previous gravity data correspond to relatively high density anomalies. Thirdly, low resistivity zone reaching to 200 $\Omega{\cdot}m$ is detected around a depth of 1km beneath the central part of the caldera, which has not been yet reported in korean geophysical literatures. If we take account of the evolution model of the Hwasan caldera, this zone is regarded as the past sedimentary layer that subsided during the period of forming external ring fault system. In addition, the relatively low density anomaly observed in the central part of the caldera may be attributed to this sedimentary layer.