• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.541-548
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• 2009

The Dongrae thermal water area located at the southeastern marginal part of the Korean Peninsula is one of the oldest hot springs in Korea. The Dongrae thermal water shows Na-Cl type of water chemistry, whereas the shallow cold groundwater is Ca(-Na)-$HCO_3$ type. In this paper, we discuss the age of the Dongrae hot spring, i.e. groundwater cycle among meteoric water-surface water-shallow groundwater-hot spring water. The $^{87}Sr/^{86}Sr$ ratios of the thermal water in Dongrae area range from 0.705663 to 0.705688 and are lower than those of groundwater, surface water and rain water as well as aquifer bearing granite. These Sr isotopic signatures in the Dongrae thermal water indicate that the circulation rate between thermal water and current meteoric water including groundwater, surface water and rain water in the Dongrae area should be very slow. The $^{14}C$ age of the Dongrae hot spring water range from $1,271{\pm}36$ BP(before present) to $2,467{\pm}36$ BP whereas that of the shallow groundwater is $-495{\pm}33$ BP. This suggests that the period of groundwater cycle among meteoric water, surface water, shallow groundwater and hot spring should be more than 1,270 years. Then, it also indicates that the present Dongrae hot spring may be a mixed water between the old thermal water heated for at least 1,270 years and the present shallow cold groundwater.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.385-398
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• 1999

The Narim gold mine is located approimately 200km southeast of Seoul within the Muju mineralized district of the Sobaegsan gneiss complex, Korea. Environmental geochemistry were undertaken for various kinds of water (surface, ground and mine water) collected of April, September and November in 1998 from the narim mine creek. Hydrogeochemical compositions of water samples are characterized by the relatively significant enrichment of Na+K, alkali ions, $HCO_{3}$, $NO_{3}$, Cl and F in groundwater, wheras the mine and surface waters are relatively enriched in Ca+Mg, hea표 metals and $SO_{4}$. Therefore, the groundwaters belong to the (Na+Ca)-( $HCO_{3}+SO_{4}$) type, respectively. The pH and EC values of the non-mining creek surfers are relatively lower compared with those of the surface water of the mine and ore dump area. The d values ($\delta$D-8$\delta^{18}$O) of all kinds of water from the Narim mine creek are 5.8 to 13.1 The range of $\delta$D and $\delta^{18}$O values (relative to SMOW) are shown in distinct two groups as follows: for the April waters of -64.8 to -67.8$\textperthousand$ and -9.6 to -10.0$\textperthousand$(d value=10.1 to 13.1), and for the November waters of -65.9 to -70.2$\textperthousand$ and -9.3 to -9.6$\textperthousand$ (d value=5.8 to 7.9), respectively. This range variation indicates that two group water were composed of distinct waters with seasonal difference. Geochemical modeling showed that mostly toxic metals (As, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) may exist largery in the from of metal $(M2^+)$ and metal-sulfate $(MSO_4\;^{2-$\mid$),\; and \;SO_4^{2-$\mid$}$ concentration influenced the speciation of heavy metals in the meteoric water. These metals in the groundwater could be formed of $CO_3 \;and \;(OH)_3$ complex ions. Using computer program, saturation index of albite, calcite, dolomite in meteoric water show undersaturated and progreddively evolved toward the saturation state, however, ground and mine water are nearly saturated. The gibbsited water-mineral reaction and stabilities suggest that the weathering of silicate minerals may be stable kaolinite, illite and Nasmectite. The clay minerals will be transformed to more stable kaolinite owing to the contiunous reaction.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.115-131
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• 1992

Late Cretaceous (90.5 Ma), epithermal gold-silver vein mineralization of the Weolseong and Samchang mines in the Sulcheon area, 60 km southeast of Taejeon, can be separated into two distinct stages (I and II) during which fault-related fissures in Precambrian gneiss and Cretaceous (102 Ma) porphyritic granite were filled. Fluid inclusion and mineralogical data suggest that quartz-sulfide-electrum-argentite-forming stage I evolved from initial high temperatures $({\approx}340^{\circ}C})$ to later lower temperatures $({\approx}140^{\circ}C})$ at shallow depths of about 400 to 700 m. Ore fluid salinities were in the range between 0.2 and 6.6 wt. % eq. NaCl. A simple statistic model for fluid-fluid mixing indicates that the mixing ratio (the volumetric ratio between deep hydrothermal fluids and meteoric water) systematically decreased with time. Gold-silver deposition occurred at temperatures of $230{\pm}40^{\circ}C$ mainly as a result of progressive cooling of ore-forming fluids through mixing with less-evolved meteoric waters. Measured and calculated hydrogen and oxygen isotope values of hydrothermal fluids indicate meteoric water dominance, approaching unexchanged meteoric water values. The geologic, mineralogic, and geochemical data from the Weolseong and Samchang mines are similar to those from other Korean epithermal gold-silver vein deposits.

• Geosciences Journal
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.975-987
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• 2018

Stable isotope ratios of $^{18}O/^{16}O$ and $^{13}C/^{12}C$ and rare earth elements geochemistry of the Upper Triassic carbonates from the Baluti Formation in Kurdistan Region of Northern Iraq were studied in two areas, Sararu and Sarki. The aim of the study is to quantify the possible diagenetic processes that postdated deposition and the paleoenvironment of the Baluti Formation. The replacement products of the skeletal grains by selective dissolution and neomorphism probably by meteoric water preserved the original marine isotopic signatures possibly due to the closed system. The petrographic study revealed the existence of foraminifers, echinoderms, gastropods, crinoids, nodosaria and ostracods as major framework constituents. The carbonates have micritic matrix with microsparite and sparry calcite filling the pores and voids. The range and average values for twelve carbonate rocks of ${\delta}^{18}O$ and ${\delta}^{13}C$ in Sararu section were -5.3‰ to -3.16‰ (-4.12‰) and -2.94‰ to -0.96‰ (-1.75‰), respectively; while the corresponding values for the Sarki section were -3.69‰ to -0.39‰ (-2.08‰) and -5.34‰ to -2.70‰ (-4.02‰), respectively. The bivariate plot of ${\delta}^{18}O$ and ${\delta}^{13}C$ suggests that most of these carbonates are warm-water skeletons and have meteoric cement. The average ${\Sigma}REE$ content and Eu-anomaly of the carbonates of Sararu sections were 44.26 ppm and 1.03, respectively, corresponding to 22.30 ppm and 0.93 for the Sarki section. The normalized patterns for the carbonate rocks exhibit: (1) non-seawater-like REE patterns, (2) positive Gd anomalies (average = 1.112 for Sararu and 1.114 for Sarki), (3) super chondritic Y/Ho ratio is 31.48 for Sararu and 31.73 for Sarki which are less than the value of seawater. The presence of sparry calcite cement, negative $^{13}C$ and $^{18}O$ isotope values, the positive Eu anomaly in the REE patterns (particularly for Sararu), eliminated Ce anomaly ($Ce/Ce^{\ast}$: 0.916-1.167, average = 0.994 and 0.950-1.010, average = 0.964, respectively), and Er/Nd values propose that these carbonates have undergone meteoric diagenesis. The REE patterns suggest that the terrigenous materials of the Baluti were derived from felsic to intermediate rocks.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.232-236
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• 2000

Multi-regression statistical analyses were applied for the water quality data of shallow alluvial ground water (n = 47) collected from the Youngdeok area, in order to quantitatively generalize the natural (non-anthropogenic) causes of regional water quality variation. Seven samples having the high contamination index ( $C_{a}$ > 3) reflect the striong effects by anthropogenic activity. Most of the alluvial groundwaters have acquired their quality primarily due to the dissolution of carbonate minerals. The results of multi-regression analysis show that chlorine is mainly derived from seawater effect. Sulfur isotopic compositions of dissolved sulfur and the S $O_4$/Cl ratio also enable us to discriminate the samples (n = 18) which are affected by atmospheric input of marine aerosol (sea-spray) and also by mixing between freshwater and seawater. Hydrogen and oxygen isotope data of the samples collected lie close to the local meteoric water line obtained from nearby Pohang city but has lower slope (5.45) on the $\delta$D-$^{18}$ O plot, indicating that alluvial groundwater was recharged from infiltrated meteoric water which has undergone some degree of kinetic evaporation. The estimated initial isotopic composition of the recharged water ($\delta$D = -74.8$^{0}$ /$_{00}$, $\delta$$^{18}$ O = -10.8$^{[-1000]}$ /$_{[-1000]}$ ) suggests that the alluvial ground water recharge largely occurs during summer storm events.s.s.

• Proceedings of the KSEEG Conference
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• 1999.04a
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• pp.337-340
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• 1999

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.367-377
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• 2000

The purpose of this study is to elucidate the source of U anomaly formed in stream water of the drainage system around the Shinbo talc mine area based on the O, H, S and Sr isotopic characteristics of water masses and wall rocks. The ${\delta}$D and ${\delta}^{18}O$ of surface and ground waters show highly restricted range and plotted on the same meteoric water line, indicating that they are all originated from the meteoric water. The ${\delta}^{34}S$value of the ground water containing high U shows slightly negative (-0.2${\textperthousand}$) and quite distinct from those of the other surface and ground waters that are similar to those of wall rocks (>5.8${\textperthousand}$), indicating that they have a different S isotopic fractionation or less probably, source. The $^{87}Sr/^{86}{Sr}$ratios of water masses around the Shinbo talc mine area show a variable range from 0.724325 to 0.744928, but tend to increase with increasing U concentration of water mass. Although it is not possible to determine precisely the source rock of U anomaly formed in the hydrologic system around the Shinbo talc mine, the evidence obtained from the Sr isotopic compositions strongly suggests that coal schist and/or pegmatite vein could be the most likely candidate for the source rock.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.237-245
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• 1999

The Mujeong au-Ag hydrothermal vein type deposits occur within the Teriary igneous rocks of the Janggi basin. Ore minerals consist of pyrite, pyrrhotite, sphalertite, chalcopyrite, galena, cosalite, lillianite, argentite and electrum, and associated with epidotization, sericitization and pyritization. Fluid inclusion studies reveal that ore fluids were low saline with a simple NaCl-$H_{2}O$ system. Fluid inclusion data indicate that homogenization temperatures and salinities of fluid are 150 to $340^{\circ}C$ and 1.0 to 6.5wt.% NaCl equivalent, respectively. Sulfur isotope compositions of sulfied minerals ( ${\delta}^{34}S$=6.2 to 9.6$\textperthousand$) indicate that the ${\delta}^{34}S_{H2S}$ value of ore fluids was about 10.4$\textperthousand$. This ${\delta}^{34}S_{H2S}$ value is likely consistent with and hydrothermal sulfur, whereas the fluids were highly influenced by mixing with meteoric water. Measured and calculated oxygen and hydrogen isotope values (${\delta}^{18}O_{H2O}$=-2.7 to 3.4 $\textperthousand$, ${\delta}D_{H2O}$ = -83.6 to -52.7 $\textperthousand$) of ore forming fluids suggest mixing with hydrothermal and meteoric water. Equilibrium thermodynamic interpretation by mineral assemblages and chemistry indicates that sulfur fugacities (-log $fs_2$) ore forming fluids range from 9.0 to 12.6 atm stage II.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 1989

Electrum-galena-sphalerite mineralization of the Yangpyeong-Weonju Au-Ag area was deposited in three stages of quartz and calcite veins which fill fault breccia zones. Fluid inclusion and stable isotope data show that ore mineralization was deposited at temperatures between $260^{\circ}C$ and $180^{\circ}C$ from fluids with salinities between 8.9 and 2.9 equivalent weight percent NaCl. Evidence of boiling indicates pressures of <50 bars, corresponding to depths of 220 to 550 m, respectively, assuming lithostatic and hydrostatic loads. Au-Ag deposition was likely a result of bolling coupled with cooling. Within stages I and II there is an apparent increase in ${\delta}^{34}S$ values of $H_2S$ with paragenetic time ; early -1.4~2.7‰ to later 6.6-9.2‰. The progressively heavier $H_2S$ values can be generated through isotopic re-equilibration in the ore fluid following removal of $H_2S$ by boiling or precipitation of sulfides. Measured and calculated hydrogen and oxygen isotope values of ore-forming fluids suggest meteoric water dominance, approaching unexchanged meteoric water values. Comparison of these values with those of other Korean Au-Ag deposits reveals a relationship between depth and degree of water-rock interaction. All investigated Korean Jurassic and Cretaceous gold-silver-bearing deposits have fluids which are dominantly evolved, meteoric water, but on1y deeper systems (${\geq}1.25km$) are exclusively gold-rich.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 1997

The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility of using stable isotopes as a hydrologic tracer, and to elucidate the groundwater circulation system and the source of S component dissolved in thermal water of the Chonju Jukrim thermal spring district based on the O, H and S isotopic variabilities of environmental materials including bedrock, rainwater, surface water, shallow subsurface water and thermal spring water. The ${\delta}^{18}O$ and ${\delta}D$ of subsurface waters and surface water show highly restricted range and plotted on the same meteoric water line as a ${\delta}D=8{\delta}^{18}O+19$ line, and derivate from the mean annual isotopic composition of the rain water but are analogous to those of rain waters precipitated during winter season, indicating that ground waters are originated from the meteoric water and are strongly affected by the seasonal variation of air mass. Thermal spring waters are more depleted in ${\delta}^{18}O$ and ${\delta}D$ than those of shallow ground water and surface water. It can be explained by the difference of recharge area. The hydrochemical properties of subsurface waters and surface water devide into two groups: $Ca(HCO_3)_2$ type including shallow subsurface water and surface water, and $Na(HCO_3)$ type of thermal spring waters. The ${\delta}^{34}S$ values of thermal spring water show very high positive and quitely distinct from those of shallow subsurface water and surface water that are similar to those of bed rocks, indicating that sulfate dissolved in thermal spring water has not only a terrigenic origin, but also originates partially from the foreign source containing very heavy ${\delta}^{34}S$ component such as an ancient sea water. However, the presence of $H_2S$ can not be ignore the affact of the isotopic fractionation to explaine the heavy ${\delta}^{34}S$ of thermal spring water. Overall, the Oxygen and Hydrogen stable isotopes can identify the source and the circulation system of the natural waters and the S-isotopes can provide a crucial clue on tracing the dissolved material transports in the circulation system of the natural water.