• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.401-414
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• 2017

Vegetation and landscape characteristics at the three highest summits of Republic of Korea, i.e. Seoraksan, Jirisan and Hallasan, are analyzed on the basis of species composition, physiognomy, vegetation distribution and structure of alpine plants, along with landform, geology, soil and habitat conditions. Dominant high mountain plants at three alpine and subalpine belts contain deciduous broadleaved shrub, Rhododendron mucronulatum var. ciliatum (31.6%), and evergreen coniferous small tree, Pinus pumila (26.3%) at Seoraksan, deciduous broadleaved tree, Betula ermanii (35.3%), evergreen coniferous tree, Picea jezoensis (23.5%) at Jirisan, and evergreen coniferous tree, Abies koreana (22.6%), deciduous broadleaved shrub, Rhododendron mucronulatum var. ciliatum, and Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii (19.4%) at Hallasan, respectively. Presence of diverse landscapes at the peak of Seoraksan, such as shrubland, grassland, dry land along with rocky areas, and open land may be the result of hostile local climate and geology. High proportion of grassland and wetland at the top of Jirisan may related to gneiss-based gentle topography and well developed soil deposits, which are beneficial to keep the moisture content high. Occurrence of grassland, shrubland, dry land, conifer vegetation, and rocky area at the summit of Hallasan may due to higher elevation, unique local climate, as well as volcanic origin geology and soil substrates. Presences of diverse boreal plant species with various physiognomy at alpine and subalpine belts, and wide range of landscapes, including rocky, grassland, shrubland, wetland, and conifer woodland, provide decisive clues to understand the natural history of Korea, and can be employed as an relevant environmental indicator of biodiversity and ecosystem stability.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.521-529
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• 2022

Gravity exploration was conducted to determine the distribution of igneous complex related to lithium pegmatite in the Boam deposit of Uljin, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and the spatial relationship with the regional geology and ore bodies were studied. The gravity exploration result shows that the Boam deposit area is characterized by relatively low gravity anomaly that surrounds the deposit. The Boam deposit is located near the southwest-northeast directional boundary of gravity anomalies where igneous complex (granite gneiss) contacts with the Yuli and Wonnam groups in the southeast, Janggun limestone layers in the east-west direction, and Dongsugok metasedimentary rocks. While the western boundary in the southwest-northeast direction is relatively clear, there may also be unknown igneous complex that are not exposed on the surface at the eastern and southern boundaries because a relatively low gravity anomaly surrounds the deposit. The distribution characteristics of these hidden igneous complex will be used as useful data for predicting the distribution of the lithium pegmatite in the future.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.29-38
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• 2010

Oegogae wetland is sub-alpine wetland which is formed in piedmont area in Jirisan National Park. Apparently Oegogae wetland seems to be well-protected wetland. Most alpine wetlands are located in the summit area, but Oegogae wetland is located in piedmont area which is transitional zone between the steep slope and relatively flat valley bottom. Oegogae wetland is active in terms of sedimentation and exceeds 1m in depth. Penetration tests show that composing material is soft such as peat and organic-rich sediment. Basal rock of the basin is gneiss and gneissic schist in general, which is good for the formation of wetland because those rocks are easy to form low permeability layer. Baseflow from the wetland takes control of the most of stream flow during the wet season and this is especially true during the dry season. Precipitation during the wet season increases water content and base flow from the wetland.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.149-160
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• 2007

Six prototype field tests (five 1/8 and one 1/2 scale tests) have been conducted in order to determine the uplift resistance of deep foundation for transmission line structures. Test sites, located in the city of Eumseng in Choongbuk province, are classified as gneiss. These test results reveal failures not along the foundation-rock interface but either along the damaged surrounding rock mass caused by excavation or along the pre-existing rock joint. Test results also show the uplift resistance which is 20 $\sim$ 30% higher than the current design strength of side friction. In addition to fold tests, four concrete core samples between the liner plate and the surrounding rock mass have been obtained from the existing transmission foundations to study the effect of the liner plate which is installed prior to placing concrete. The compressive strength of these concrete core samples shows 63 $\sim$ 72% of the strength at the time of foundation construction. Side frictional resistance based on such less compacted concrete reaches satisfying uplift design strength.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.259-275
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• 2023

Pan African granitoids of Kaiama is comprised of K-feldspar rich granites, porphyritic granites, and granitic gneiss that are intruded by quartz veins and aplitic veins and dykes which trend NE-SW. In order to establish the geochemical signatures, petrogenesis, and tectonic settings of the lithological units, petrological, petrographical, and geochemical studies was carried out. Petrographic analysis reveals that the granitoids are dominantly composed of quartz, plagioclase feldspar, biotite, and k-feldspar with occasional muscovites, sericite, and opaque minerals that constitute very low proportion. Major, trace, and rare earth elements geochemical data reveal that the rocks have moderate to high silica (SiO₂=63-79.7%) and alumina (Al₂O₃=11.85-16.15) contents that correlate with the abundance of quartz, feldspars, and biotite. The rocks are calc-alkaline, peraluminous (ASI=1.0-<1.2), and S-type granitoids sourced by melting of pre-existing metasedimentary or sedimentary rocks containing Al, Na, and K oxides. They plot dominantly in the WPG and VAG fields suggesting emplacement in a post-collisional tectonic setting. On a multi-element variation diagram, the granitoids show depletion in Ba, K, P, Rb, and Ti while enrichment was observed for Th, U, Nd, Pb and Sm. Their rare-earth elements pattern is characterized by moderate fractionation ((La/Yb)_N=0.52-38.24) and pronounced negative Eu-anomaly (Eu/Eu^*=0.02-1.22) that points to the preservation of plagioclase from the source magma. Generally, the geochemical features of the granitoids show that they were derived by the partial melting of crustal rocks with some input from greywacke and pelitic materials in a typical post-collisional tectonic setting.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.2C
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• pp.59-69
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• 2009

Based on the data obtained from field investigation and soil testing to slope hazards occurrence section and non-occurrence section in crystalline rocks like gneiss, granite, and so on, a prediction model was developed by the use of a decision tree model. The classification standard of the selected prediction model is composed of the slope angle, the coefficient of permeability and the void ratio in the order. The computer program, SHAPP ver. 1.0 for prediction of slope hazards around an important national facilities using GIS technique and the developed model. To prove the developed prediction model and the computer program, the field data surveyed from Jumunjin, Gangneung city were compared with the prediction result in the same site. As the result of comparison, the real occurrence location of slope hazards was similar to the predicted section. Through the continuous study, the accuracy about prediction result of slope hazards will be upgraded and the computer program will be commonly used in practical.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.707-718
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• 2011

We study the natural background and geochemical characteristics on geological groups of stream sediment in the Boseong-Hwasun area. We collected 186ea stream sediment samples along the primary channels and dried them naturally in laboratory. The contents of major, trace and rare earth elements were determined by XRF, ICP-AES and NAA analysis methods. In order to know the natural background and geochemical characteristics of geological groups, we classified the studied area into granitic gneiss (GGn) area and porphyroblastic gneiss (PGn) area. The contents range of major elements for GGn area is $SiO_2$ 45.5-73.09 wt.%, $Al_2O_3$ 12-20.76 wt.%, $Fe_2O_3$(T) 3.72-8.85 wt.%, $K_2O$ 2.38-4.2 wt.%, MgO 0.75-2.77 wt.%, $Na_2O$ 0.78-1.88 wt.%, CaO 0.27-2.1 wt.%, $TiO_2$ 0.56-1.72 wt.%, $P_2O_5$ 0.06-0.73 wt.% and MnO 0.03-0.95 wt.%, and for PGn area it is $SiO_2$ 43.74-70.71 wt.%, $Al_2O_3$ 11.54-25.05 wt.%, $Fe_2O_3$(T) 3.44-13.46 wt.%, $K_2O$ 2.08-3.86 wt.%, MgO 0.65-2.99 wt.%, $Na_2O$ 0.63-1.7 wt.%, CaO 0.35-2.07 wt.%, $TiO_2$ 0.68-4.17 wt.%, $P_2O_5$ 0.1-0.31 wt.% and MnO 0.07-0.33 wt.%. The contents range of hazard elements for GGn area is Cr 41.7-242 ppm, Co 7.6-25.1 ppm, Ni 12-61 ppm, Cu 10-47 ppm, Zn 48.5-412 ppm, Pb 17-215 ppm, and for PGn area, it is Cr 29.6-454 ppm, Co 5.9-53.7 ppm, Ni 8.7-287 ppm, Cu 6.4-134 ppm, Zn 43.6-370 ppm, Pb 15-37 ppm area. There is a good correlation between Cr and MgO and Co among $Al_2O_3$, $Fe_2O_3$(T), MgO and Ni among $Fe_2O_3$(T), CaO, MgO whereas Cu, Zn and Pb have a low correlation for major elements in GGn area. Generally Cr, Co, Ni, and Cu have a good correlation with major elements, but a low correlation with Zn and Pb in PGn area.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.72-84
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• 2008

This study was carried out to provide proper management plans for small portable water supply system in the Nonsan area through water quality monitoring, hydrogeochemical investigation and multivariate statistical analyses. Nonsan area is a typical rural area heavily depending on small water supply system for portable usage. Geology of the area is composed of granite dominantly along with metasedimentary rocks, gneiss and volcanic rocks. The monitoring results of small portable water supply system showed that 13-21% of groundwaters have exceeded the groundwater standard for drinking water, which is 5 to 8 times higher than the results from the whole country survey (2.5% in average). The major components exceeding the standard limits are nitrate-nitrogen, turbidity, total coliform, bacteria, fluoride and arsenic. High nitrate contamination observed at southern and northern parts of the study area seems to be caused by cultivation practices such as greenhouses. Although Ca and $HCO_3$ are dominant species in groundwater, concentrations of Na, Cl and $NO_3$ have increased at the granitic area indicating anthropogenic contamination. The groundwaters are divided into 2 groups, granite and metasedimentary rock/gneiss areas, with the second principal component presenting anthropogenic pollution by cultivation and residence from the principal components analysis. The discriminant analysis, with an error of 5.56% between initial classification and prediction on geology, can explain more clearly the geochemical characteristics of groundwaters by geology than the principal components analysis. Based on the obtained results, it is considered that the multivariate statistical analysis can be used as an effective method to analyze the integrated hydrogeochemical characteristics and to clearly discriminate variations of the groundwater quality. The research results of small potable water supply system in the study area showed that the groundwater chemistry is determined by the mixed influence of land use, soil properties, and topography which are controlled by geology. To properly control and manage small water supply systems for central and local governments, it is recommended to construct a total database system for groundwater environment including geology, land use, and topography.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.27-35
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• 2003

The study site located in an industrial complex has a Precambrian age gneiss as a bedrock. The poorly-developed, disturbed soils in the study site have loamy-textured surface soil (1 to 2 m) and gravelly sand alluvium subsurface (2 to 6 m) on the top of weathered gneiss bedrock. The depth of the groundwater table was about 3.5 m below ground surface and increased toward down-gradient of the site. The hydraulic conductivity of transmitted zone (gravelly coarse sand) was in the range of 5.0${\times}$10$\^$-2/∼1.85${\times}$10$\^$-1/ cm/sec. The fine sand layer was in the range of 1.5${\times}$10$\^$-3/ to 7.6${\times}$10$\^$-3/ cm/sec. and the reclaimed upper soil layer was less than 10$\^$-4/ cm/sec. Toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (TEX) was the major contaminant in the soil and groundwater. The average depth of the soil contamination was about 1.5 m in the gravelly sand alluvium layer. At the depth interval 2.4∼4.8 m, the highest contamination in the soil is located approximately 50 to 70 m from the suspected source areas. The concentration of TEX in the groundwater was highest in the suspected source area and a lesser concentration in the center and southwest parts of the site. The TEX distribution in the groundwater is associated with their distribution in the soil. Microbial isolation showed that Pseudomonas flurescence, Burkholderia cepacia, and Acinetobactor lwoffi were the dominant aerobic bacteria in the contaminated soils. The analytical results of the groundwater indicated that the concentrations of dissolved oxygen (DO), nitrate, and sulfate in the contaminated area were significantly lower than their concentrations in the none-contaminated control area. The results also indicated that groundwater at the contaminated area is under anaerobic condition and sulfate reduction is the predominant terminal electron accepting process. The total attenuation rate was 0.0017 day$\^$-1/ and the estimated first-order degradation rate constant (λ) was 0.0008 day$\^$-1/.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.395-415
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• 2001

In the Singok area, western part of Chungcheongnam-Do, two ultramafic ma~ses, Singok mass and Kaewol mass, occur as isolated lenticular bodies in the Precambrian Kyeonggi gneiss complex. The masses extend for several hundred meter to NNE direction, parallel to the main fault line of this area. The rocks are dunite and harzburgite, but partially and absolutely serpentinized. They dominantly show porphyroclastic and recrystallized textures with equigranular-mosaic and protogranular textures. In spite of differences among the alteration and metamorphism, the ultramafic masses are characterized by varying amounts of high fosteritic olivine ($Fo_{0.88-0.93}$), magnesian pyroxene ($En_{0.93-0.97}$), and tremolitic to tschermakitic hornblende with minor spinel, serpentine, chlorite, calcite, magnetite, phlogopite and talc. It is compared with adjacent gneiss complex containing amphibole, biotite, plagioclase, alkali-feldspar and quartz. Geochemically, these rocks show high magnesium number (Mg>90.38), and transitional element (Ni=595-2480, Cr==IOlO-4400, Co=36-120 ppm), low alkali element ($Na_{2}O$<0.3, $K_{2}O$<0.11, $Al_{2}O_3$<2.95 wt%) and depleted incompatible element contents, which is compared with adjacent rocks (Mg < 83.69, $Na_{2}O$=1.02-3.42 wt%, $K_{2}O$=O.67-5.65 wt%, $Al_{2}O_3$=9.15-16.86 wt%, Ni < 435 ppm, Cr < 1440 ppm, Co<59 ppm, enriched incompatible element contents). Overall characteristics of ultramafic rocks from the Singok and Kaewol masses are similar to the those of adjacent ultramafic bodies in Chungnam with worldwide orogenic related Alpine type ultramalic rocks. Calculated geothermometries suggest that the ultramafic rocks have experienced metamorphism in the condition ranging from the greenschist facies to granulite facies.