• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• 제36권4호
• /
• pp.423-435
• /
• 2014

Verifying the similarity of environmental characteristics between an artificial impact site and a preserved or reference site is necessary to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the environmental impact of mining activity. Although an impact site (BIS station) and a preserved site (called KOMO station) that have been selected in the Korea manganese nodule contract area may share similar environmental characteristics, similarities in terms of the water column environment between both sites has not been investigated. In this study, we compared the chemical properties of the water columns and sinking particle fluxes between BIS and KOMO stations through two observations (August 2011 and September 2012). Additionally, we observed particle fluxes at the KOMO station for five years (July 2003~July 2008) to understand long-term natural variability. Vertical distributions of water column properties such as dissolved oxygen, inorganic nutrients (N, P, Si), total organic carbon below surface layer (within the depth range of 200 m) were not considerably different between the two sites. Especially, values of water column parameters in the abyssopelagic zone from 4000 m to bottom layer (~5000 m) were very similar between the BIS and KOMO sites. Sinking particle fluxes from the two sites also showed similar seasonality. However, natural variation of particle flux at the KOMO site varied from 3.5 to $129.9mg\;m^{-2}day^{-1}$, with a distinct temporal variation originating from ENSO events (almost forty times higher than a minimum value). These results could provide valuable information to more exactly evaluate the environmental impact of mining activity on water columns.

• 자원환경지질
• /
• 제49권6호
• /
• pp.479-490
• /
• 2016

해저 착저식 시추 시스템은 해저 광물자원 시추를 위해 최근 들어 사용이 증가하고 있는 시추 시스템이다. 2016년 3월 일본 근해에서 수행된 해저 착저식 시추 시스템 실해역 테스트의 과정, 결과 및 착저식 시추 기술과 관련된 국제동향을 보고한다. 해저 착저식 시추기는 선상 탑재식 시추기와 비교하여 1000~3000 m 사이 수심의 좁은 면적에 산재하여 분포하는 광체를 100 m 내외의 깊이로 시추하는데 유리한 시추 시스템이다. 해저 착저식 시추 시스템은 시추에 필요한 동력, 시추로드 및 코어베럴 등을 착저식 시추기에 장착한 후 해저 착저를 시켜 시추를 수행한다. 시추 시 획득되는 암추 시료는 시추기와 함께 회수한다. 본 실해역 시험 시추에서 회수된 시료는 모두 현무암으로, 시추 시료 회수율은 약 55%를 보인다. 그러나 현무암 보다 연약한 열수 광체를 시추 할 경우 이보다 회수율이 낮을 것으로 판단된다. 회수율을 높이기 위해 전통적인 암추 시료 회수 방법에 부가하여 무암추 시료 회수 방법을 이용하기도 하며, 최근에는 보다 안정적인 무암추 시료 회수를 위해 reverse circulation 방법 적용이 고려되고 있다. 착저 방식에 있어서 세 개 및 네 개의 다리를 이용하여 착저하는 방법이 경쟁하고 있으나, 더 많은 시추 결과를 통해 해저 착저에 유리한 방안을 고려하여야 한다.

• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• 제36권4호
• /
• pp.515-524
• /
• 2014

The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology has acquired detailed biological, chemicophysical, and geological data in the northeastern Pacific through a manganese nodule program since 1983. Plenty of manganese nodules were collected to estimate the amount of resources by free-fall grab and box corer. The collected manganese nodules have been archived systematically in the rock and mineral storage section of the Library of Marine Samples (LIMS) since 2012. The LIMS provides essencial information on the stored samples including sample name, nodule type, sampling location, depth, and equipment. Although a high quality database of the information system is under construction, the samples have tagged information for manganese nodules like chemical composition, morphology, weight, size, abundance, and photograph. In this study, we attempted to provide information on the well-organized and easily accessible archived manganese nodule samples for future studies and to introduce the usefulness of the LIMS.

• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• 제36권4호
• /
• pp.447-454
• /
• 2014

In August, 2013, we collected epifaunal megabenthos using a deep sea camera (DSC) around a benthic impact study (BIS) site. This was located in the KR5 block of the Korea Deep Ocean Study (KODOS) area in the Northeastern Pacific. The DSC was positioned at $6.8{\pm}2.9m$ (SD) from the sea bottom and was operated from a position at $131^{\circ}56.85^{\prime}-131^{\circ}55.02^{\prime}W$ for 2.3 h at a speed of 1-2 knot. The geographical features of the study area consisted of two structures; a trough in the middle and hills at the east and west sides. Sediment conditions were consistent within six blocks and were affected by slope and polymetallic nodule deposits. We analyzed 226 megafaunal species. Sipunculida comprised the highest percentage of individuals (39%), and the dominant epifaunal megabenthos were Hormathiidae sp., Primnoidae sp., Hexactinellida sp., Hyphalaster inermis, Freyella benthophila, Paelopatides confundens, Psychropotes longicauda, and Peniagone leander. More than 80% of the total density of megafauna occurred on sea plain (D- and E-blocks). We found two distinct groups in the community, one located on sea plains and the other along both sides of the sea slop. Our results suggest that geographical features such as slope and polymetalic nodule deposits are important in controlling the distribution of the epifaunal megabenthos around the KODOS area.

• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• 제36권4호
• /
• pp.373-381
• /
• 2014

Korea contract Mn-nodule field in the NE equatorial Pacific is composed of seven sectors with average water depths of 4,513-5,025 m. Of the various factors controlling the properties of Mn-nodule, it seems that water depth is likely connected to the chemical composition and occurrence of nodules. To test whether such an assumption held in each sector, we reviewed previous research data accumulated since 1994 for one of the northern sectors (hereafter KR1) where there are stark contrasts in water depth. High-resolution seabed mapping clearly separates a northern part (KR1N) from a deeper southern part (KR1S), cutting across in the middle of the KR1. In addition, significant volcanic activities forming numerous seamounts are distinctive especially in KR1N. In terms of nodule occurrence, manganese nodules in KR1S are comparatively larger (2-4 cm) with a discoidal shape, while those in KR1N are generally small (<2 cm) with poly-lobate and irregular shapes. Nodules in KR1N also have lower Co, Cu, Mn and Ni, and higher Fe contents. The spatial separation in nodule characteristics might be caused by volcanic activities in KR1N rather than water depth contrast. During the formation of the seamounts in KR1N, rock fragments and volcanic ashes as new nuclei of the nodules would have been continuously generated. As a result, the nodules could not grow larger than 2 cm and display the shapes of a newbie (i.e., irregular and poly-lobate shapes). Moreover, significant Fe supply from volcanic activities probably decreases the Mn/Fe ratio, which may lead to the KR1 nodules being misinterpreted as a hydrogenic in origin compared to other sectors where a high Mn/Fe ratio is present.

• 한국해양공학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국해양공학회 2002년도 추계학술대회 논문집
• /
• pp.5-6
• /
• 2002

• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• 제36권4호
• /
• pp.383-394
• /
• 2014

The surface sediments from the manganese nodule exploration area of Korea in the Clarion-Clipperton fracture zone were investigated to understand the resource potential of and emplacement mechanism for rare earth elements (REEs). The sediments are categorized into three lithological units (Unit I, II and III from top to bottom), but into two groups (Unit I/II and Unit III) based on the distribution pattern of REEs. The distribution pattern of REEs in Unit I/II is similar to that of Post-Archean Australian Shale (PAAS), but shows a negative Ce anomaly and enrichment in heavy REEs (HREEs). In Unit III, the HREE enrichment and Ce anomaly is much more remarkable than Unit I/II when normalized to PAAS, which are interpreted as resulting from the absorption of REEs from seawater by Fe oxyhydroxides that were transported along the buoyant plume from remotely-located hydrothermal vents. It is supported by the PAAS-normalized REE pattern of Unit III which is similar to those of seawater and East Pacific Rise sediments. Meanwhile, the PAAS-normalized REE pattern of Unit I/II is explained by the 4:1 mixing of terrestrial eolian sediment and Unit III from each, indicating the much smaller contribution of hydrothermal origin material to Unit I/II. The studied sediments have the potentiality of a low-grade and large tonnage REE resource. However, the mining of REE-bearing sediment needs a large size extra collecting, lifting and treatment system to dress and refine low-grade sediments if the sediment is exploited with manganese nodules. It is economically infeasible to develop low-grade REE sediments at this moment in time because the exploitation of REE-bearing sediments with manganese nodules increase the mining cost.

• 자원환경지질
• /
• 제53권6호
• /
• pp.781-792
• /
• 2020

망간단괴, 망간각, 해저열수광상 개발에서 필연적으로 발생하게되는 선광잔류물은 방대한 양과 잠재적인 독성으로 인해 관심이 증가하고 있지만, 아직까지 선광잔류물의 발생량, 물리·화학적 특성, 환경 유해성, 해양생태계에 미치는 영향 등에 관한 정보가 부족한 실정이다. 최근에는 선광잔류물의 친환경적인 처리 중요성이 인식되고, 그에 따른 저감/처리법이 강구되고 있다. 심해저 광물자원개발 시 선광잔류물이 선상에서 처리되지 못할 경우, 선광잔류물의 육상으로 운반 비용이 발생하고 육상 환경오염 문제를 해결해야하는 경우가 발생하게 된다. 따라서, 한국해양과학기술원에서는 1) 오염인자/환경영향, 2) 환경/생물 위해성 영향, 3) 입자 확산, 4) 선광, 5) 저감/처리(정화)를 친환경적인 선상에서의 선광잔류물 처리를 위한 주요 핵심 요소로 구분하여 선광잔류물의 유해성, 해양생태계에 미치는 영향, 오염 입자 확산 모델, 선광 및 정화처리 후보기술 등에 대한 연구를 수행하고 있다. 본 연구 결과는 향후 심해저광물자원 개발과정에서 발생할 수 있는 환경영향에 대한 과학적인 증거 확보를 통해 환경문제를 최소화 할 수 있는 연구 기반을 제시할 수 있고, 이는 다른 기원의 오염물 및 규제없이 방치되고 있는 육상 폐광산의 누출수 처리에도 적용할 수 있을 것이라 기대한다.

• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• 제42권1호
• /
• pp.49-61
• /
• 2020

We analyzed the morphological characteristics of OCC (Ocean Core Complexes) in the middle part of the Central Indian Ridge (MCIR) using high-resolution geophysical data recorded on the Deep-Tow SideScan Sonar IMI-30 system. In terms of slope-gradient variations calculated from the high-resolution bathymetry data, the normal faults formed by seafloor spreading were associated generally with slopes > 30° and resulted in high backscatter intensities, which reflect more topographic effects than acoustic medium variation. However, the areas associated with gentle slopes < 10° tend to show the backscatter intensities reflecting the acoustic characteristic of the medium. We show that the detachment faults exposing the OCCs were initiated with high-angle normal faults (58°) exhibiting outward and inward dips of a breakaway zone. In order to examine the spatial distribution of OCC structures, we characterized the transition from magmatic-dominant seafloor with abyssal hills to tectonic-dominant seafloor with OCC using the down-slope direction variation. The slope direction of the seafloor generally tends to be perpendicular to the ridge azimuth in the magmatic-dominant zone, whereas it becomes parallel to the given ridge azimuth near the OCC structures. Therefore, this spatial change of seafloor slope directions indicates that the formation of OCC structures is causally associated with the tectonic-dominant spreading rather than magmatic extension. These results also suggest that the topographical characteristics of seafloor spreading and OCC structures can be distinguished using high-resolution geophysical data. Thus, we propose that the high-resolution bathymetry and backscatter intensity data can help select potential areas of exploitation of hydrothermal deposits in MCIR effectively.

• 대한전기학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 대한전기학회 2008년도 학술대회 논문집 정보 및 제어부문
• /
• pp.427-428
• /
• 2008

In order to probe such mineral resources, AUVs (Autonomous Underwater Vehicles) have been used instead of ROVs (Remotely-Operated Vehicles) that are not suitable to probe submarine resources distributed over a wide area. However, the power consumption of AUVs needs to be reduced as they are operated by batteries. In controlling the power of underwater vehicles, the efficiency of batteries and their capacity have been heightened. This study aimed at developing a power control system suitable to the prober for submarine mineral resources. As a result, power was reduced as compared to the non-control system and the prober could explore the seabed longer than usual.