• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.117-128
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• 2017

Occurrence characteristics and existing forms of U-Th containing minerals in KURT (KAERI Underground Research Tunnel) granite are investigated to understand long-term behavior of radionuclides in granite considered as a candidate rock for the geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste. KURT granite primarily consists of quartz, feldspar and mica. zircon, REE(Rare Earth Element)-containing monazite and bastnaesite are also identified. Besides, secondary minerals such as sericite, microcline and chlorite including quartz vein and calcite vein are observed. These minerals are presumed to be accompanied by a post-hydrothermal process. U-Th containing minerals are mainly observed at the boundaries of quartz, feldspar and mica, mostly less than $30{\mu}m$ in size. Quantitative analysis results using EPMA (Electron Probe Micro-Analyzer) show that 74.2 ~ 96.5% of the U-Th containing minerals consist of $UO_2$ (3.39 ~ 33.19 wt.%), $ThO_2$ (41.61 ~ 50.24 wt.%) and $SiO_2$ (15.43 ~ 18.60 wt.%). Chemical structure of the minerals calculated using EPMA quantitative analysis shows that the U-Th minerals are silicate minerals determined as thorite and uranothorite. The U-Th containing silicate minerals are formed by a magmatic and hydrothermal process. Therefore, KURT granite formed by a magmatic differentiation is accompanied by an alteration and replacement owing to a hydrothermal process. U-Th containing silicate minerals in KURT granite are estimated to be recrystallized by geochemical factors and parameters such as temperature, pressure and pH owing to the hydrothermal process. By repeated dissolution/precipitation during the recrystallization process, U-Th containing silicate minerals such as thorite and uranothorite are formed according to the variation in the concentrated amount of U and Th.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.30-58
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• 2022

The deep geological repository for high-level radioactive waste disposal is a multi barrier system comprised of engineered barriers and a natural barrier. The long-term integrity of the deep geological repository is affected by the coupled interactions between the individual barrier components. Erosion and piping phenomena in the compacted bentonite buffer due to buffer-rock interactions results in the removal of bentonite particles via groundwater flow and can negatively impact the integrity and performance of the buffer. Rapid groundwater inflow at the early stages of disposal can lead to piping in the bentonite buffer due to the buildup of pore water pressure. The physiochemical processes between the bentonite buffer and groundwater lead to bentonite swelling and gelation, resulting in bentonite erosion from the buffer surface. Hence, the evaluation of erosion and piping occurrence and its effects on the integrity of the bentonite buffer is crucial in determining the long-term integrity of the deep geological repository. Previous studies on bentonite erosion and piping failed to consider the complex coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical behavior of bentonite-groundwater interactions and lacked a comprehensive model that can consider the complex phenomena observed from the experimental tests. In this technical note, previous studies on the mechanisms, lab-scale experiments and numerical modeling of bentonite buffer erosion and piping are introduced, and the future expected challenges in the investigation of bentonite buffer erosion and piping are summarized.

• 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.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.491-501
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• 2022

Bentonite has been proposed as a buffer and backfill material for high-level radioactive waste repository. Under such repository environment conditions, bentonite is subjected to combined thermal, hydrological, mechanical, and chemical processes. This study evaluates the feasibility of applying X-ray CT technology on the characterization of bentonite under hydration conditions using a newly developed testing cell. The cylindrical cell is made of platic material, with a removable cap to place the sample, enabling to apply vertical pressure on the sample and to measure swelling pressure. The hydration test was carried out with a sample made of Gyeonju bentonite, with a dry density of 1.4 g/cm³, and a water content of 20%. The sample had a diameter of 27.5 mm and a height of 34 mm. During the test, water was injected at a constant pressure of 0.207 MPa, and lasted for 7 days. After one day of hydration, bentonite swelled and filled out the space inside the cell. Moreover, CT histograms showed how the hydration process induced an initial increase and later progressive decrease on the density of the sample. Detailed profiles of the mean CT value, CT standard deviation, and CT gradient provided more details on the hydration process of the sample and showed how the bottom and top regions exhibited a decrease on density while the middle region showed an increase, especially during the first two days of hydration. Later, the differences in CT values with respect to the initial state decreased, and were small at the end of testing. The formation and later reduction of cracks was also characterized through CT scanning.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.65-87
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• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to perform basic study on environmental and respiratory diseases in Ulsan and vicinities. Also, this study evaluated the actual state of environmental disease and health education at middle and high schools in Ulsan and surroundings. Methods: For this study, we conducted a survey on the health of the general public, environmental effects, and investigated the characteristics of environmental disease, health and hygiene education, etc. The populations of this study were middle and high school students in Ulsan, Korea. This study investigated the knowledge of environmental disease and health education at schools in Ulsan and vicinities from November 2009 to December 2009. All statistical calculations were performed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows, and gained the following results by implementing Frequency Analysis, Cross-tabulation Analysis and ANOVA. Results: As more and more environmental diseases are increased, the interest of the people has been increasing on this. The incidence rates of asthma and atopy were represented the top 25% of the country in Korea. The source of heavy metal, PAHs and VOCs in Ulsan includes the Petrochemical Complex at Nam-gu and Ulju-gun, the Nonferrous Metal Industrial Complex at Onsan-eup, Ulju-gun, and the Heavy Industrial Complex at Dong-gu and Buk-gu. Especially, there are a number of fossil fuel combustion facilities such as waste incineration plants and boilers at Nam-gu and the Onsan Industrial Complex. It may help greatly to investigate the characteristics of environmental pollutants such as environmental air pollutant and indoor contaminant to better manage the local student's health. Conclusions: It has been revealed that the hazardous chemicals and environmental contaminants are main substances of cause for asthma, atopy, dermatitis, and allergy disease. Therefore, through with collecting basic data such as environmental disease of inhabitants, health education, conscious and knowledgeable level in parents of students and students, We have to exert to improve knowledge and prevention with health life in school through development of health education program systematically for preventing of environmental disease.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.361-369
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• 2010

Objectives: An outbreak of norovirus occurred at a high school in Gyeongju city in 2009. An epidemiological investigation was carried out to examine the infection source and the transmission route of norovirus, and to prevent a recurrence. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted for 520 male students and 8 food handlers. Rectal swabs were examined in 21 symptomatic students and the 8 food handlers by Gyeongsangbukdo Government Public Institute of Health & Environment, and an environmental investigation was performed. A case-control study was used to evaluate the association between risk factors and disease. Results: The attack rate was 21.3% (111/520) between January 29 and February 10, and norovirus GII was isolated from 12 of 21 students. Food handlers had no symptoms and their stool samples were negative. The case-control study revealed that seasoned soy bean sprouts {odds ratio (OR): 2.542, 95% CI=1.315-4.915} and drinking water from the purifiers in the cafeteria (OR: 2.854, 95% CI=1.107-7.358) supplied on February 3 were significant risk factors for the outbreak. Water pipes and waste pipes were located in the same place where was filled with some water and trace of high water level was detected. Conclusions: The major risk factors for this norovirus outbreak were presumed to be the contaminated seasoned soy bean sprouts and drinking water from the purifiers in the cafeteria. More strict personal and environmental hygiene need to be enforced to prevent such outbreaks.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.147-155
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• 2015

The existing field survey and aerial photography involve the waste of manpower and economic loss in the coastline survey. To minimize these disadvantages, the digitization for efficient coastline extraction was conducted in this study using the points extracted from the standard coastline of the approximate highest high water and the diverse satellite images (KOMPSAT-3, SPOT-5, Landsat-8 and Quickbird-2), and the comparative accuracy analysis was conducted. The differences between the standard coastline points of the approximate highest high water and the coastline of each satellite were smallest for KOMPSAT-3, followed by Quickbird-2, SPOT-5 and Landsat-8. The significant probability from between the multipurpose applications satellite and Quickbird-2 (significant probability two-tailed) was statistically significant at 1% significance level. Therefore, high-resolution satellite images are required to efficiently extract the coastline, and KOMPSAT-3, from which images are easily acquired at a low cost, will enable the most efficient coastline extraction without external support.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.55-64
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• 2007

An analytical method using ion-exchange chromatography was developed for simultaneous quantification of low-molecularweight organic acids ($C_1-C_6$ aliphatic carboxylic acids) and inorganic anions, and then applied to the assessment of ground water contaminated by leachates from a municipal solid waste landfill. Peak interferences of halide ions to organic acids were removed by pretreatment of water samples with Ag-containing cartridges. This method allowed accurate detection of low-molecular weight organic acids (i.e., formate, acetate, propionate, pyruvate, succinate, and oxalateas) low as 0.5 mg/L with a linear dynamic range up to 20 mg/L within 11 min run time along with typical inorganic anions. High level of pyruvate and low level of formate and acetate were detected in groundwater and landfill leachates using the analytical method. Pyruvate concentration in groundwater showed a significant correlation with concentrations of $Cl^-$ and $HCO_3^-$, and pyruvate levels decreased along the downgradient from the landfill, indicating the sources of pyruvate are landfill leachate.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.29-37
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• 2007

Shallow alluvial groundwaters in Korea of tell exceed the Korean Drinking Water Standard for dissolved iron (0.3 mg/L), which is one of the important water quality problems, especially in the use of bank infiltration technique. Using the reactive transport modeling, in this study we simulated the effectiveness of injection-and-pumping technique to remove dissolved iron in groundwater. The results of simulation showed that pumping of groundwater after injection of oxygenated water into aquifers is very effective to acquire the permissible water quality level. Groundwater withdrawal up to several times of irjected water in volume can be applicable to yield drinkable water. Potential problems such as clogging and permeability lowering due to in-situ precipitation of iron hydroxides may be insignificant. We also discuss on the mechanism and spatial extent of iron removal in aquifer.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.102-109
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• 2016

This paper presents mechanical properties and chloride diffusivity of the recycled aggregate concretes(RAC) in which natural coarse aggregate was replaced by recycled coarse aggregate(RCA) by compressive strength levels(20, 35, 50 MPa). A total of 9 RAC were produced and classified into three series, each of which included three mixes designed with three compressive strength levels of 20 MPa, 35 MPa and 50 MPa and three RCA replacement ratios of 0, 50 and 100%. Engineering properties of RAC were tested for slump test, air content, compressive strength, chloride penetration depth and chloride diffusion coefficient. The test results indicated that the workability of RAC could be improved or same by RCA replacement ratios, when compared with that containing no RCA. This is probably because of the RCA shape improving the workability of RAC. Also, the test results showed that the compressive strength was decreased by 9~10% as the RCA replacement ratios increase. Furthermore, the result indicated that the measured chloride diffusion coefficient increases by 144% with the increase of the RCA replacement. In the case of the concrete having low level compressive strength, the increase of chloride diffusion coefficient tends to be higher when using the RCA. However, the trend of chloride diffusion coefficient in high level compressive strength concrete is similar to that obtained in general concrete. This is because that the effect of the RCA replacement could be a decrease with increase of compressive strength. Therefore, an advance on the admixture application and mix ratio control are required to improve the chloride resistivity when using the recycled aggregate in large scale.