• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.469-489
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• 2000

The hydrogeochemical and isotopic studies on deep groundwater (below a 550 m depth from the ground surface) in the Munkyeong area, Kyeongbuk province were carried out. Two types of deep groundwater (${CO_2}$-rich groundwater and alkali groundwater) occur together in the Munkywong area. ${CO_2}$-rich groundwater (Ca-${HCO_3}$ type) is characterized by low pH (5.8~6.5) and high TDS (up to 2,682 mg/L.), while alkali groundwater (Na-${HCO_3}$ type) shows a high pH (9.1~10.4) and relatively low TDS (72~116 mg/L). ${CO_2}$-rich water may have evolved by ${CO_2}$ added at depth during groundwater circulation. This process leads to the dissolution of surrounding rocks and Ca, Na, Mg, K and ${HCO_3}$ concentrations are eniched. The low $Pco_2$ ($10^{-6.4}$atm) of alkali groundwaters seems to result from the dissolution of silicate minerals without a supply of ${CO_2}$. The ${\delta}^{18}O$ and ${\delta}^D$values and tritium data indicate that two types of deep groundwater were both derived from pre-thermonuclear meteoric water and have evolved through prolonged water-rock interaction. The carbon isotope data show that dissolved carbon in the ${CO_2}$-rich water was possibly derived from deep-seated ${CO_2}$ gas, although further studies are needed. The ${\delta}^{34}S$ values of dissolved sulfate show that sulfate reduction occurred at great depths. The application of various chemical geothermometers on ${CO_2}$-rich groundwater shows that the calculated deep reservoir temperature is about 130~$l75^{\circ}C$. Based on the geological setting, water chemistry and environmental isotope data, each of the two types of deep groundwater represent distinct hydrologic and hydrogeochemical evolution at depth and their movement is controlled by the local fracture system.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.255-269
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• 2001

The geochemical studies on groundwater in the borehole, which is straddled by multi-packer (MP) system, were carried out from a volcanic terrain in the Yeosu area. The pH of groundwater collected from selected sections in the MP-installed borehole is much higher (up to 9.6) than that of the borehole groundwater (7.0-7.9) collected using conventional pumping technique. Hydrochemistry shows that the groundwater has a typical chemical change with increasing sampling depth, suggesting that the groundwater is evolved through water-rock interaction along the fracture-controlled flow paths. The groundwater from the deeper part (138-175 m below the surface) in borehole KI is characterized by the Ca-C11 type with high Ca (up to 160 mg/L) and Cl (up to 293 mg/L) contents, probably reflecting seawater intrusion. The groundwater also has high sodium and sulfate contents compared to the waters from other boreholes. These observed groundwater chemistry is explained by the cation exchange, sulfide oxidation, and mixing process with seawater along the flow path.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Groundwater Environment
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.212-222
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• 1997

Geochemistry of metasedimentary groundwaters and spar waters has been studied in comparison with that of granitic groundwaters in Korea. Metasedimentary groundwaters show $Ca^{2+]$-${HCO_3}^-$ type at depth and low sodium concentrations compared with granitic groundwaters, which is due to the lack of plagioclase in their aquifer mineralogy and, therefore, the predominant reaction of calcite dissolution. According to factor analysis, metasedimentary groundwaters at 100~300 m depth are represented by 1) the dissolution of calcite and Mg-carbonates, 2) transformation of kaolinite to illite, and 3) the presence of sodium as not the product of plagioclase dissolution but a artificial pollutant. Discriminant function between the granitic and metasedimentary groundwaters shows a good discriminating ability with 81.8%, and groundwaters of volcanic aquifer, which has abundant plagioclase, are included in the granitic group by this function. Spa water samples show the result of active water-rock interaction due to high temperature.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.35-53
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• 2007

Geochemical and isotope studies on the groundwater system of the Youngcheon area were carried out. Most groundwaters belong to Ca-$HCO_3$ and Ca-$SO_4$ types and some groundwaters belong to Na-$HCO_3$ type. Geochemical characteristics of these groundwaters were mainly affected by their basement rocks around the boreholes. High $SO_4$ content of groundwater is the result of reaction with sulfate or sulfide minerals in the host rock. Ca was originated from the carbonate minerals in the sedimentary rock. After the groundwater was saturated with calcite, the Na-$HCO_3$ type groundwaters were evolved by the reaction with plagioclase for a relatively long residence time. This explanation was supported by low tritium contents of Na-$HCO_3$ type groundwaters. ${\delt}a^{18}O$ and ${\delta}D$ data indicate that the groundwaters are of meteoric water origin and there was no difference between the various types of waters. Grondwaters from the boreholes BH-1, BH-9 and BH-12 showed the geochemical and isotopic characteristics of deep groundwater. Most borehole groundwaters except them did not show the systematic geochemical variations with sampling depth indicating that the shallow and deep groundwaters were mixed with each other throughout the study area. The results of water quality analysis indicate that the study area is highly contaminated by the introduction of agricultural sewage.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 1997

The high radon (Rn222) potentials of soil, groundwater, hotspring and indoor environments in the Taejon city area were delineated by use of an EDA RDA-200 radon detector. The U and Th contents were also analysed using a Multi Channel Analyzer to illustrate the sources of the radon potentials. The average U concentrations in Taejon vary according to the type of granites such as $4.14{\pm}2.36ppm$ in schistose granite (SG), $3.13{\pm}1.70ppm$ in biotite granite (BG) and $3.01{\pm}1.95ppm$ in two mica granite (TG). The U contents in the granites are closely related with the amounts of uraniferous minerals. However, the U contents in the soil are found to be $5.05{\pm}4.75ppm$ in TG, $4.07{\pm}1.69ppm$ in BG and $3.87{\pm}1.91ppm$ in SG which are mainly explained by the different cation exchange capacities (CEC) of the soils from various granites. The levels of soil radon are $552{\pm}656pCi/l$ in SG, in which levels at two locations exceed the level of 1,350 pCi/l established as guideline for follow-up action by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), $443{\pm}284pCi/l$ in TG and $224{\pm}115pCi/l$ in the BG. The soil radon concentrations are found to be proportional to the U content and hardness of the soils. The groundwater radon concentrations in the domestic wells of - 30~-100 m depth show that $6,907{\pm}4,665pCi/l$ in TG, $5,503{\pm}6,551pCi/l$ in SG and $2,104{\pm}1,157pCi/l$ in BG which are positively related with U contents in soils. The radon levels of six groundwater wells in TG and two in SG are greater than guideline for drinking water level, 10,000 pCi/l by EPA (1986). Average radon contents of hotsprings and public bathes in the TG area are $7,071{\pm}1,942pCi/l$ and $1,638{\pm}709pCi/l$, respectively, which are below the EPA standard for remedial action value of the 10,000 pCi/l. The mean indoor radon concentrations of the TG and SG areas are $1.60{\pm}1.20pCi/l$ and $1.60{\pm}0.70pCi/l$, respectively. The elevated indoor radon levels of 5.6 pCi/l and 6.7 pCi/l are found to be particularly in TG area, which exceeds 4 pCi/i guideline, correlating positively with the U contents in the soil and radon concentration in the groundwater.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.313-327
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• 2006

This study investigated the geochernical characteristics of Mn scale formed in groundwater wells at the Damyang area. The composition of Mn scale consists mainly of MnO and $SiO_2$. The content of Mn ranges from56.61wt.% to 68.69wt.%, and $SiO_2$ content ranges from 1.56wt.% to 10.45wt.%. The contents of Mo and Ba in Mn scale increased with increased depth; whereas, the content of Zn and Pb decreased with increased depth. Birnessite, quartz and feldspars were identified in Mn scales using x-ray powder diffraction studies. The IR absorption bands for Mn scales show major absorption band due to OH stretching, adsorbed molecular water, and birnessite stretching, respectively. In the SEM and EDS analysis, the Mn scale consists of botryoidal, spherical, spherulite, and empty straw structure. Those structure may be precipitated simply due to oversaturation with concentrated Mn content or may be formed through biogenic precipitation by Lepthothrix discophora. Under microanalysis using EDS on those structure surface of Mn scales, the Mn atomic percent range from 28 to 44, and such elements revealed the presence of Si, K, Na, Ca, Cl, Cu, Zn, and Ba.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Groundwater Environment
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.73-88
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• 2000

The geochemistry of the $CO_2$-rich waters ($Pco_2\leq$about 1 atm) in NE part of the Kangwon province was investigated. The $CO_2$-rich waters can be divided to three types based on chemical compositions: Na-$HCO_3$, Ca-Na-$HCO_3$and Ca-$HCO_3$types. The water chemistry indicates that these type waters were evolved through reaction with host rocks by supply of deep-seated $CO_2$during deep circulation, and their geochemical environments in depth might have been different each other. The dissolution process of plagioclase is important in water/granite interactions and its solubility change according to reaction temperature played an important role in the determination of chemical compositions. The higher reaction temperature coincides with the lower different in solubility between albite and anorthite. It means that calcium is mainly released to the water in the lower temperature, whereas sodium in the higher temperature due to high Na/Ca ratio in plagioclase. The application of various chemical geothermometries on the $CO_2$-rich waters shows that the calculated reservoir temperature of Na-$HCO_3$type (about 15$0^{\circ}C$) is higher than those of Ca-$HCO_3$type. Therefore, we now interpret the recognized chemical difference was mainly due to the difference of reaction temperature. Considering normal thermal gradient, we can understand that the Na-$HCO_3$type was evolved from deeper crustal depth than the Ca-$HCO_3$type.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.329-343
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• 2001

The deep environment and geochemical evolution of the Bugok geothennal waters, located in the Kyeongnam Province, was re-interpreted based on the hydrochemical and isotopic data published by Yun et al. (1998). The geothermal waters of the Bugok area is geochemically divided into three groups; Geothennal water I, II and III groups. Groups I and II are geochemically similar; high temperature (55.2-77.2$^{\circ}$C) and chemically belonging to Na-S04 types. However, pH and Eh values are a little different each other and Group II water is highly enriched in S04 compared to Group I water. Group III water, occurring from peripheral sites of the central part of the geothennal waters, shows temperature range of 29.3 to 47.0$^{\circ}$C and belongs to $Na-HCO_3-S0_4$ types. The deep environment and geochemical evolution of the Bugok geothennal waters, showing the diversity of geochemistry, can be interpreted as follows; I) Descending to great depth of meteoric waters that originated at high elevation and reacting with sediments and/or granites in depth. The $S0_4$ concentration of the waters has been increased by the dissolution of sulfate minerals in sediments. 2) During the continuous descending, the waters has met with the reduction environment, producing the $H_2S$ gas due to sulfate reduction. The waters has been heated up to 130$^{\circ}$C and the extent of water-rock reaction was increased. At this point, pH of waters are increased, S04 concentration decreased and calcite precipitated, therefore, the waters show the $Na-S0_4$ type. 3) Ascending of the geothennal waters along the flow path of fluids and mixing with less-deeply circulated waters. The $S0_4$ concentration is re-increased due to the oxidation of $H_2S$ gas and/or sulfide minerals in sediments. During continuous ascending, these geothennal waters are mixed with shallow groundwater.