• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.73-77
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• 2022

Background: Whole-body vibration (WBV) exposure of coal mine dumper operators poses numerous health hazards. The case-control study was aimed at assessing the relative musculoskeletal health risk of dumper operators' exposure to WBV with reference to the nonexposed group. Methods: Measurements of WBV exposure were taken at the operator-seat interface using a human vibration analyzer for 110 dumper operators in three coal mines. This vibration measurement was supplemented by a questionnaire survey of 110 dumper operators exposed to WBV and an equal number of workers not exposed to WBV. The relative risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) has been assessed through the case-control study design. Results: ISO guidelines were used to compare the health risk. It was observed that the prevalence of pain in the lower back was 2.52 times more in the case group compared to the control group. The case group of Mine-2 was 2.0 times more prone to vibration hazards as compared to Mine-3. Conclusion: The case group is more vulnerable to MSDs than the control group. The on-site measurement as well as the response of the dumper operators during the questionnaire survey corroborates this finding.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.16-27
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• 2023

Primary succession on bare rocks is a challenge for invaders, including one of which was plants. The invasion of bare rock by exotic species raises the question of whether their presence hinders or facilitates succession. This study aimed to determine the role of exotic species in primary succession in six overburden (OB) coal mines using a chronosequence approach. Vegetation analysis was undertaken using line transects. Measurements were carried out on the absolute and relative coverage of each species. Native and exotic species were identified and grouped using information from local communities, identification books, and websites. The relationship between time and number of species, time, and relative dominance of exotic and native species was analyzed using Pearson's correlation. Species number and dominance data were analyzed descriptively. The number of native species from the six OB heaps was higher (57) than that from exotic heaps (50). Neither the number of species nor the coverage showed a significant relationship with time. Exotic species predominated throughout the age of the embankment but tended to decrease over time. Temporary dominance by exotic species plays a role in assisting primary succession in the OB. This process might be prolonged without the temporary dominance of exotic species during early primary succession.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.557-573
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• 2023

The rapid growth of zinc-oxide (ZnO) nanostructures (NSs) on woven carbon fiber (WCF) is reported in this study employing a microwave-aided chemical bath deposition process. The effects of different process parameters such as molar concentration, microwave duration and microwave power on morphologies and growth rate of the ZnO on WCF were studied. Furthermore, an attempt has been taken to study influence of different type of growth solutions on ZnO morphologies and growth rates. The surface functionalization of WCF fabrics is achieved by successful growth of crystalline ZnO on fiber surface in a very short duration through one-step microwave synthesis. The morphological, structural and compositional studies of ZnO-modified WCF are evaluated using field-emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy respectively. Good amount of zinc and oxygen has been seen in the surface of WCF. The presence of the wurtzite phase of ZnO having crystallite size 30-40 nm calculated using the Debye Scherrer method enhances the surface characteristics of WCF fabrics. The UV-VIS spectroscopy is used to investigate optical properties of ZnO-modified WCF samples by absorbance, transmittance and reflectance spectra. The variation of different parameters such as dielectric constants, optical conductivity, refractive index and extinction coefficient are examined that revealed the enhancement of optical characteristics of carbon fiber for wide applications in optoelectronic devices, carbon fiber composites and photonics.

• Journal of the Society of Naval Architects of Korea
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2024

A naval mine is an effective weapon system implemented for defending defends ports and seas. A mine is an underwater weapon that poses a great threat to ships sailing over the sea from shallow areas. Most of the influence-type naval mines detect magnetic field signals from ships and determine the final time of fire. Therefore, the level of underwater electro-magnetic signatures of ships is a key requirement for determining the survival of ships in wartime situations where mines are emplaced. The main reason why the high manganese steel is attracting attention for naval ship hulls is its nature as a non-magnetic steel. The non-magnetic hull does not generate electro-magnetic signatures; thus, it has the advantage improving the stealth of the ship. In this paper, I examine whether this material can be applied in the hulls material of naval ships that must be ableto reduce underwater electro-magnetic signatures by considering the non-magnetic characteristics of the first developed high manganese steel in the world.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.297-302
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• 2001

To compare the relationship between the vertical distribution of heavy metals in paddy soil and soil pH near four abandoned metal mines, 40 paddy surface soils $(0{\sim}15\;cm)$ and 12 soils with soil depths ($0{\sim}20$, $20{\sim}40$, $40{\sim}60$, $60{\sim}80$ and $80{\sim}100$ cm) were collected. Both total and extractable heavy metal contents in soils were analyzed after acid digestion $(HNO_3:HClO_4:H_2SO_4)$ and 0.1 N-HCl extraction, respectively. The 0.1 N-HCl fraction ratio over total contents of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn were 57, 30, 23, and 19% respectively. Vertical distribution of heavy metals varied considerably among the different mines. In Choil mine, there was no difference in concentrations of all the metals with soil layers. However, Cu and Pb contents in Gahak mime were high at $0{\sim}20\;cm$ depth, and Zn was high at $0{\sim}40\;cm$ depth. In Sinyemi mine, Cd and Cu contents were high at $0{\sim}40\;cm$ depth. Cd, Cu, and Pb contents in Okcheon mine were high through all soil profiles up to 100 cm soil depth. The 0.1 N-HCl fraction ratio over total contents of heavy metals with soil layers were very high at $0{\sim}20\;cm$ depth. As soil depth increased, fraction ratio of heavy metals decreased at the high soil pH (Gahak, Sinyemi, and Choil mines). However, the ratios of Cd, Cu, and Pb in Okcheon mine, having a relatively lower soil pH than other sites, were relatively similar through all the soil profiles up to 100 cm soil depth. Therefore, it was estimated that the mobility and availability of heavy metals in soils were affected by soil pH.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.73-84
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• 2010

Gold and silver deposits within the Eunjeok and Sangeun mines are located in Yeongam district, Cheollanamdo-province. They are composed of vein ore bodies infilling the fractures of Cretaceous rhyolitic tuff. The Eunjeok mine have three gold and silver bearing hydrothermal veins which is infilling the fracture of rhyolitic tuff. Major ore minerals within the Eunjeok and Sangeun mines are arsenopyrite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite and galena and minor ores are electrum, native silver and argentite. Sericitization is dominant in alteration zone and chloritization and dickitization is minor. Quartz veins in the Eunjeok and Sangeun mine have the similar paragenesis and vein textures such like breccia, crustiform, comb and vuggy morphology indicating the formation of typical epithermal environment. In order to carry out the preliminary feasibility study of mine according to the commodity and elucidate the occurrence features of mineral resources from Eunjeok and Sangeun mine, common commodity (Pb, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mo, W, Au and U), and industrial commodity (In, Re, Ga, Ge, Se, Te, Y, Eu and Sm) for 17 ore specimen were analyzed. It is tentatively thought that there is no exploitable mine for iron, lead, zinc, copper, tungsten and uranium based on the preliminary result. If the reserves are secured through the detailed prospecting in case of molybdenum and silver, it is tentatively thought that there will be exploitable deposits depending on international metal price. If we assume the vein width from 0.25 m to 2 m including alteration zone with the gold grade of 80g/t, it is inferred that the resources amount of the Eunjeok-Sangeun mines range from 6.5 to 65ton. However, as the vein structure of the Eunjeok and Sangeun mines is developed together with alteration zone, it should be estimated to include potential alteration zone in order to yield the average grade. It is needed to carry out more exploration in the near future because the reserves can be flexibly estimated according to the change of average grade considering the alteration zone.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.222-231
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• 2005

Most of the tailings have been left without any management in abandoned metalliferous mines and have become the main source of heavy metal contamination of agricultural soils and crops in the these areas. To compare of environmental assessment of heavy metals in tailings derived from various 25-metalliferous mines in Korea, 3 different analysis methods such as water soluble, 0.1 M-HCl extractable, and total acid digestion method (aqua regia) were used. The chemical composition of water soluble in mine tailing were in the order ${SO_4}^{2-}>Ca^{2+}>Mn^{2+},\;Na^+,\;Al^{3+}>Mg^{2+},\;Fe^{3+}>Cl^-$. Specially, pH, EC, ${SO_4}^{2-},\;and\;Ca^{2+}$ concentrations in tailing varied considerably among the different mines. The average total concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, and As in tailing were 31.8, 708, 4,961, 2,275 and 3,235 mg/kg, respectively. Specially, the contents of Cd, Zn and As were higher than those of countermeasure values for soil contamination (Cd : 4, Zn : 700 and As : 15 mg/kg in soil) by Soil Environmental Conservation Act in Korea. The rates of water soluble heavy metals to total contents in tailings were in the order Cd > Zn > Cu > Pb > As. The rates of 0.1M-HCl extractable Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, and As (1M-HCl) to total content were 17.4, 10.2, 6.5, 6.8 and 11.4% respectively. The enrichment factor of heavy metals in tailings were in the order As > Pb > Cd > Cu > Zn. The pollution index in tailing Au-Ag mine tailing were higher than those of other mine tailing. As a results of enrichment factor and pollution index for heavy metal contaminations in mine tailing of metalliferous mines, the main contaminants are mine waste materials including tailings.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.543-553
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• 2023

The current status of domestic a agalmatolite mines in South Korea was investigated with a view to establishing a stable supply of agalmatolite and managing its demand. Most mined agalmatolite deposits were formed through hydrothermal alteration of Mesozoic volcanic rocks. The physical characteristics of pyrophyllite, the main constituent mineral of agalmatolite, are as follows: specific gravity 2.65~2.90, hardness 1~2, density 1.60~1.80 g/cm³, refractoriness ≥29, and color white, gray, grayish white, grayish green, yellow, or yellowish green. Among the chemical components of domestic agalmatolite, SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ contents are respectively 58.2~67.2 and 23.1~28.8 wt.% for pyrophyllite, 49.2~72.6 and 16.5~31.0 wt.% for pyrophyllite + dickite, 45.1 and 23.3 wt.% for pyrophyllite + illite, 43.1~82.3 and 11.4~35.8 wt.% for illite, and 37.6~69.0 and 19.6~35.3 wt.% for dickite. Domestic agalmatolite mines are concentrated mainly in the southwest and southeast of the Korean Peninsula, with some occurring in the northeast. Twenty-one mines currently produce agalmatolite in South Korea, with reserves in the order of Jeonnam (45.6%) > Chungbuk (30.8%) > Gyeongnam (13.0%) > Gangwon (4.8%), and Gyeongbuk (4.8%). The top 10 agalmatolite-producing mines are in the order of the Central Resources Mine (37.9%) > Wando Mine (25.6%) > Naju Ceramic Mine (13.4%) > Cheongseok-Sajiwon Mine (5.4%) > Gyeongju Mine (5.0%) > Baekam Mine (5.0%) > Minkyung-Nohwado Mine (3.3%) > Bugok Mine (2.3%) > Jinhae Pylphin Mine (2.2%) > Bohae Mine. Agalmatolite has low thermal conductivity, thermal expansion, thermal deformation, and expansion coefficients, low bulk density, high heat and corrosion resistance, and high sterilization and insecticidal efficiency. Accordingly, it is used in fields such as refractory, ceramic, cement additive, sterilization, and insecticide manufacturing and in filling materials. Its scope of use is expanding to high-tech industries, such as water treatment ceramic membranes, diesel exhaust gas-reduction ceramic filters, glass fibers, and LCD panels.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.553-565
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• 2002

Seasonal variations in vertical distributions of metals were investigated in the contaminated paddy soils around Siheung Cu-Pb-Zn and Deokeum Au-Ag mines. Geochemical behavior of metals was also evaluated with respect to redox changes during the cultivation of rice. Two microcosms simulating the rice-growing paddy field were set up in the laboratory. The raw paddy soils from two sites showed differences in mineralogy, metal concentrations and gecochemical parameters, and it is suggested that high proportions of exchangeable fractions in metals may give high dissolution rates at Deokeum. In both microcosms of Siheung and Deokeum, redox differences between surface and subsurface of paddy soils were maintained during the flooded period of 18 weeks. Siheung soil had neutral to alkaline pH conditions, while strongly acidic conditions and high Eh values were found at the surface soil of Deokeum. The concentrations of dissolved Fe and Mn were higher in the subsurface pore waters than in interface and upper waters from both microcosms, indicating reductive dissolution under reducing conditions. On the contrary, dissolved Pb and Zn had high concentrations at the surface under oxidizing conditions. From the Siheung microcosm, release of dissolved metals into upper waters was decreased. presumably by the trap effect of Fe- and Mn-rich layers at the interface. However, in the Deokeum microcosm, significant amounts of Pb and Zn were released into upper water despite the relatively lower contents in raw paddy soil, and seasonal variations in the chemical fractionation of metals were observed between flooded and drained conditions. Under acidic conditions, rice may uptake high amounts of metals from the surface of paddy soils during the flooded periods, and increases of exchangeable phases may also increase the bioavailability of heavy metals in the drained conditions.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.88-97
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• 2011

We present a method for modelling the terrain response of gravity gradiometry surveys utilising an adaptive quadtree mesh discretization. The data- and terrain-dependent method is tailored to provide rapid and accurate terrain corrections for draped and barometric airborne surveys. The surface used in the modelling of the terrain effect for each datum is discretized automatically to the largest cell size that will yield the desired accuracy, resulting in much faster modelling than full-resolution calculations. The largest cell sizes within the model occur in areas of minimal terrain variation and at large distances away from the datum location. We show synthetic and field examples for proof of concept. In the presented field example, the adaptive quadtree method reduces the computational cost by performing 351 times fewer calculations than the full model would require while retaining an accuracy of one E$\"{o}$tv$\"{o}$s for the gradient data. The method is also used for the terrain correction of the gravity field and performed 310 times faster compared with a calculation of the full digital elevation model.