• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2015

This study, which was conducted from Apr. 2013 to Jan. 2014, was carried out as part of a project of making a more detailed ecological zoning map with 1/5,000 scale. The necessity of electronic vegetation map with large scale has arisen in order to make the best use of basic research findings on resource monitoring of National Parks and to enhance efficiency in National Park management. In order to improve accuracy and speed of vegetation research process, the data base for vegetation research was categorized into five groups, namely broad-leaved forest, coniferous forest, mixed forest, rock vegetation and miscellaneous one. And then a vegetation map for vegetation research was created for the research on the site. What is in the database for vegetation research and the vegetation map reflecting findings from vegetation research showed similar distribution rate for broad-leaved forest with 71.965% and 71.184%, respectively. The distribution rate of coniferous forest (16.010%, 15.747%), mixed forest (10.619%, 12.085%), and rock vegetation (0.015%, 0.002%) did not have much difference. In a detailed vegetation map reflecting vegetation research findings, the broad-leaved mountain forest was the most widely distributed with 60.096% based on the physiognomy classification. It was followed by mountain coniferous forest (16.332%), mountain valley forest (15.887%), and plantation forest (3.558%) As for vegetation conservation classification evaluated in the national park, grade I and grade II areas took up 200.44 km2, 61.80% and 108.80 km2, 33.55% respectively. The combined area of these two amounts to 95.35%, making this area the first grade area in ecological nature status. This means that this area is highly worth preserving its vegetation. The high rate of grade I area such as climax forests, unique vegetation, and subalpine vegetation seems to be attributable to diverse innate characteristics of Odaesan National Park, high altitude, low level of artificial disturbance, the subalpine zone formed on the ridge of the mountain top, and their vegetation formation, which reflects climatic and geological characteristics, despite continuous disturbance by mountain climbing.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.25-54
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• 2015

Syenite is not a common rock, unlike granitic rocks formed the major component of the continental crust. The aim of this study is to decipher the occurrences and detailed descriptive characteristics of the syenite distributed in Sancheong area, and to investigate the petrogenesis of the syenitic magma based on geochemical study. The dominant minerals in syenite are alkali feldspar (usually orthoclase and rarely microcline), plagioclase, amphibole, biotite, and quartz. Syenites are found in a wide variety of colors. The anhedral hornblende and biotite filling the boundary of feldspar and quartz indicate that the hydrous minerals were crystallized lately, and that water was insufficient at the beginning of crystallization in magma. According to the analysis of mineral composition, amphibole in syenite is mostly ferro-edenite, and the pressure is calculated as 3.3~4.9 kb with 11.9~17.3 km of emplacement depth. Biotite and pyroxene are plotted in the region of annite and hedenbergite, respectively. Based on petrochemical studies of major elements, syenite belongs to alkaline series, metaluminous, and I-type. On the other hand, the variation patterns of trace and rare earth elements of syenite differ from the patterns of diorite and granite. In the geochemical characteristics, syenite is different from gabbro-diorite spatially adjacent to syenite, as well as granite. These results suggest that each rock has been generated from the different sources of magma. Additionally, based on the experimental data, the syenitic magma can be formed (1) by the partial melting at a high pressure and dry system, (2) when the initial crystallization minerals to be residue with migration of the residual melts separated from the ascending cotectic magma (3) when fluorine compositions to be plentiful in the protolith and/or at depth of the magma. Based on the petrographic characteristics of the syenite, Sancheong syenitic magma may have been formed by partial melting in a dry system.

• Journal of the Korean Geophysical Society
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.27-38
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• 1999

The errors between track segments or at the cross-over points of shipborne gravity were successfully reduced by applying a cross-over error adjustment technique using satellite gravity. The integration of shipborne and satellite altimeter-implied free-air gravity anomalies after the cross-over error adjustment resulted in a high resolution gravity map which contains both short and long wavelength components. The successful adjustment of the cross-over errors in the shipborne gravity using the satellite gravity suggests that the shipborne gravity can be combined with the satellite anomalies characterized by a stable and long wavelength component. The resulting free-air anomaly map is evenly harmonized with both short and long wavelength anomalies. Thus the corrected anomaly map can be better used for the geological interpretation. Free-air anomalies with more than 140 mGal in total variations generally correspond to the seafloor topographic changes in their regional patterns. A series of gravity highs are aligned from the Korea Plateau to the Oki Island, which are interpreted to be caused by seamounts or volcanic topographies. The gravity minima along the western and southern shelf edge are associated not only with the local basement morphology and thick sediment fill at the continental margin, but also possibly with the crustal edge effect known for passive continental margins. Series of NE-trending linear anomalies are possibly caused by a swarm of volcanic intrusions followed the initial opening of the Ulleung Basin. The linear high anomalies in the Ulleung Plateau are terminated by the straightly NNW-trending anomalies with a sharp gradient in its western boundary which indicates a fault-line scarp. The opposite side adjoined with the fault-line scarp shows no correlation with the fault-line scarp in geometry indicating that the block might be horizontally slided from the north. A gravity high in contrast to the deepening in seafloor toward the northeastern central Ulleung Basin is probably responsible for the thin crust and shallow seated mantle. The gravity minima along the western and southern shelf edge are associated not only with the local basement morphology and thick sediment fill at the continental margin, but also possibly with the crustal edge effect known for passive continental margins. Series of NE-trending linear anomalies are possibly caused by a swarm of volcanic intrusions followed the initial opening of the Ulleung Basin. The linear high anomalies in the Ulleung Plateau are terminated by the straightly NNW-trending anomalies with a sharp gradient in its western boundary which indicates a fault-line scarp. The opposite side adjoined with the fault-line scarp shows no correlation with the fault-line scarp in geometry indicating that the block might be horizontally slided from the north. A gravity high in contrast to the deepening in seafloor toward the northeastern central Ulleung Basin is probably suggestive of a thin crust and shallow seated mantle.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.463-474
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• 2011

The Haenam epithermal mineralized zone is located in the southwestern part of South Korea, and hosts low sulfidation epithermal Au-Ag deposit (Eunsan-Moisan) and clay quarries (Okmaesan, Seongsan, and Chunsan). Epithermal deposits and accompanying hydrothermal alteration related to Cretaceous volcanism caused large zoned assemblages of hydrothermal alteration minerals. Advanced argillic-altered rocks with mineral assemblages of alunite-quartz, alunite-dickite-quartz, and dickite-kaolinite-quartz exposed on the Okmaesan, Seongsan, and Chunsan area. Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER), with three visible and near infrared bands, six shortwave infrared bands, and five thermal infrared bands, was used to identify advanced argillic-altered rocks within the Haenam epithermal mineralized zone. The distinct spectral features of hydrothermal minerals allow discrimination of advanced argillic-altered rocks from non-altered rocks within the study area. Because alunite, dickite, and kaolinite, consisting of advanced argillic-altered rocks within the study area are characterized by Al-O-H-bearing minerals, these acid hydrothermal minerals have a strong absorption feature at $2.20{\mu}m$. The band combination and band ratio transformation cause increasing differences of DN values between advanced argillic-altered rock and non-altered rock. The alunite and dickite-kaolinite of advanced argillic-altered rocks from the Okmaesan, Seongsan, and Chunsan have average DN values of 1.523 and 1.737, respectively. These values are much higher than those (1.211 and 1.308, respectively) of non-altered area. ASTER images can remotely provide the distribution of hydrothermal minerals on the surface. In this way good relation between ASTER spectra analysis and field data suggests that ASTER spectral analysis can be useful tool in the initial steps of mineral exploration.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.250-293
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• 2021

Limestone areas are sedimentary rock outcrops consisting of calcium carbonate created several hundreds of millions of years ago by calcium-secreting marine organisms and subsequently lifted above sea level by tectonic movement. Limestone areas support very high levels of endemic species of plants and are recognized as biodiversity areas with much biological information. The purpose of this study is to devise a strategy for the comprehensive conservation of the vegetation of limestone areas through analyses of the floristics and plant species compositions in ten limestone areas on the Korean Peninsula. The results of 153 field surveys from April of 2010 to October of 2016 identified 1,202 taxa in total, representing 1,096 species, 18 subspecies, 84 varieties, 2 forms, and 2 hybrids in 530 genera and 133 families. Among them, 55 taxa were endemic plants to Korea, and 38 taxa were red data plants. The floristic target plants amounted to 102 taxa, specifically 27 taxa of grade V and 75 taxa of grade IV. In all, 121 alien plants were recorded in the investigated area. Calciphilous plants amounted to 102 taxa, specifically 14 taxa of calciphilous indicator plants, 30 taxa of superlative most calciphilous plants, and 58 taxa of comparative more calciphilous plants. A cluster analysis showed a high degree of similarity between sites that are geographically adjacent with similar habitat environments. Limestone areas also supported groups distinct from those in non-limestone areas, demonstrating the specificity of limestone flora. Plant geography approaches therefore appear to be crucial to gain a better understanding of the level of biodiversity in limestone areas, not only at the interspecific but also at the intraspecific level. These results highlight the importance of protecting limestone habitats to preserve not only their interspecific but also the intraspecific diversity, which is highly threatened.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.28-51
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to analyze forest vegetation structure in Marugeum (the ridge line) area between Dakmokryeong and Daetjae in Baekdudaegan through vegetation classification, importance value, species diversity, and CCA using the data that were collected from 245 quadrates through Braun-Blanquet vegetation survey method from May to September in 2017. The results of the forest vegetation classification identified 8 vegetation units with Quercus mongolica community group at the highest level. Q. mongolica community group was classified into the Cornus controversa community, Buxus koreana community, Sasa borealis community, Abies nephrolepis community, and Q. mongolica typical community. C. controversa community was further classified into Quercus dentata group, Filipendula glaberrima group, Larix kaempferi group, and C. controversa typical group. The result of the important value analysis showed that Q. dentata had the highest importance value at 19.1% in vegetation unit 1 while Q. mongolica had the highest importance value at 22.7%, 38.3%, 25.6%, 41.3%, 27.9%, and 41.6% in vegetation unit 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, respectively, and L. kaempferi had the highest importance value at 27.6% in vegetation unit 3. As such, Q. mongolica species generally represented the communities of Marugeum (the ridge line) area of Dakmokryeong to Daetjae in Baekdudaegan. The results of species diversity showed that vegetation unit 1 and 2 were 3.305 and 3.236, respectively, which were relatively higher than other vegetation units. It was considered that this result was due to the influence of high emergence of present species. The results of the CCA analysis of the correlations between biotic environmental factors and vegetation types showed that vegetation unit 1 was mainly correlated with the megaphanerophyte ratio and vine plant ratio. In the correlations between abiotic environmental factors and vegetation types, vegetation unit 7 was significantly correlated with altitude. From the perspective of ecological management, vegetation unit 5 represented by B. koreana community was inhabited by a variety of plants due to the species composition and location environment due to the geological characteristics that are typical of limestone area. Vegetation unit 7 represented by A. nephrolepis community was typified as subalpine vegetation widely distributed by relict species and endemic species. We concluded that it is necessary to manage these vegetation units with an ecologically differentiated approach.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.251-258
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• 2019

During the detailed geological survey around the southern Yangsan Fault, we newly found a Quaternary fault outcrop, which cuts unconsolidated sediments. The fault named the Sinwoo site, located in the Sinwoo pasture, Miho-ri, Duseo-myeon, Ulsan metropolitan city, is the first discovered Quaternary fault near the western part of the south Yangsan Fault. In this study, we provide information on characteristics of fault geometry and unconsolidated sediment at Sinwoo site based on the analysis data of topography, drainage, and lineament around the study site. The fault site is situated at pediment slope, but fan-shaped middle terrace, as well as thick sediment exposed at low terrace, indicates that the unconsolidated sediments have been deposited in the alluvial fan environment. The drainage develops to the third-order drainage system, and the first and the second drainage system meet at right angles to each other and form a radial drainage pattern. In addition, the NE-SW direction lineaments can be identified on the basis of the curvature of the river and the step of the topographic relief, running over the Sinwoo site. The fault of $N30-35^{\circ}E/79-82^{\circ}SE$ shows ~ 5.8 m apparent vertical offset and dominantly reverse-slip sense based on slickenline, rotation of pebbles, and drag folding at footwall. However, some discontinuous sediments observed in the footwall are interpreted as fissure-filling materials due to the strike-slip movement. Now, we are under multidisciplinary investigations of additional field survey and age dating in order to determine the evolution of Sinwoo site fault during the Quaternary.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.139-151
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• 2022

SAGD (Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage) method is widely used for oil recovery in oil sands regions. The SAGD operation causes surface displacement, which can affect the stability of oil recovery plants and trigger various geological disasters. Therefore, it isimportant to monitor the surface displacement due to SAGD in the oil sands region. In this study, the surface displacement due to SAGD operations of the Athabasca oil sands region in Alberta, Canada, was observed by applying Permanent Scatterer Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PSInSAR) technique to the Sentinel-1 time series SAR data acquired from 2016 to 2021. We also investigated the construction and expansion of SAGD facilitiesfrom Landsat-7/8 time seriesimages, from which the characteristics of the surface displacement according to the oil production activity of SAGD were analyzed. Uplift rates of 0.3-2.5 cm/yr in the direction of line of sight were observed over the SAGDs and their vicinity, whereas subsidence rates of -0.3--0.6 cm/yr were observed in areas more than several kilometers away from the SAGDs and not affected by oil recovery activities. Through the analysis of Landsat-7/8 images, we could confirm that the SAGDs operating after 2012 and showing high oil production activity caused uplift rates greater than 1.6 cm/yr due to the subsurface steam injection. Meanwhile, very small uplift rates of several mm per year occurred over SAGDs which have been operated for a longer period of time and show relatively low oil production activity. This was probably due to the compression of reservoir sandstone due to continuous oil recovery. The subsidence observed in areas except for the SAGDs and their vicinity estimated to be a gradual land subsidence caused by melting of the permafrost. Considering the subsidence, it was expected that the uplift due to SAGD operation would be greater than that observed by the PSInSAR. The results of this study confirm that the PSInSAR can be used as an effective means for evaluating productivity and stability of SAGD in the extreme cold regions.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.407-419
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• 2022

Soil(vadose zone) gas compositions were measured for about 3 days to suggest a method for monitoring and interpreting soil gas data collected around wells from which methane(CH₄) is outflowing. The vadose zone gas samples were collected within 1 m around two test wells(TB2 and TB3) at Pohang and analyzed for CO₂, CH₄, N₂ and O₂ concentrations in situ. CO₂ flux was measured beside TB2. In addition, gas samples from well head in TB2 and atmospheric air samples were collected for comparison. Carbon isotopes of CO₂(δ¹³C_CO2) of samples collected on the last day of the study period were analyzed in the laboratory. The two test wells (TB2 and 3) were 12.7 m apart and only TB3 was cemented to the surface. According to the bio-geochemical process-based interpretation, the relationships between CO₂ and O₂, N₂, and N₂/O₂ of vadose zone gas were plotted between the lines of CH₄ oxidation and CO₂ dissolution. In addition, the CH₄ concentrations of gas samples from the wellhead of the uncemented well (TB2) were 5.2 times higher than the atmospheric CH₄ concentration. High CO₂ concentrations (average 1.148%) of vadose zone gas around TB2 seemed to be attributed to the oxidation of CH₄. On the other hand, the vadose zone CO₂ around the cemented well(TB3) showed a relatively low concentration(0.136%). This difference indicates that the vadose zone gas(including CO₂) around the CH₄ outflowing well were strongly affected by well completion(cementing). This study result can be used to establish strategies for environmental monitoring of soil around natural gas sites, and can be used to monitor leakage around injection and observation wells for CO₂ geological storage. In addition, the method of this study is useful for soil monitoring in natural gas storage and oil-contaminated sites.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.111 no.1
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• pp.115-124
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• 2022

This study was conducted to obtain basic data that could help prevent damage caused by slow-moving landslides (land-creep). Specifically, the geological, topographic, and physical characteristics of land-creep were analyzed in Jiphyeon-myeon, Jinju-si. The first and second analyzed land-creeps occurred in 1982 and 2019, respectively. The area damaged in the second land-creep was about 11.5-fold larger than that damaged in the first land-creep. The dominant constituent rock in the land-creep area was sedimentary rock, which seems to be weakly resistant to weathering. The areas that collapsed due to land-creep were related to the presence of separated rocks between the bedding plane in the estimated activity surface over the slope direction and the vertically developed joint surface. Thus, surface water and soil debris were introduced through the gaps of separated rocks. Additionally, the areas collapsed due to the combination of the bedding plane and joint surface shale and sandstone showed an onion structure of weathered outcrop from the edge to inner part caused by weathering from ground water. Consequently, core stones were formed. The study area was a typical area of land-creep in a mountain caused by ground water. Land-creep was classified into convex areas of colluvial land-creep. The landslide-risk rating in the study area was classified into three and five classes. The flow of ground water moved to the northeast and coincided with the direction of the collapse. Soil bulk density in the collapsed area was lower than that in ridge area, which was rarely affected by land-creep. Thus, soil bulk density was affected by the soil disturbance in the collapsed area.