• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.51 no.4
• /
• pp.309-322
• /
• 2018

Naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) occurs in rocks and soils as a result of natural weathering and human activities. It is proved that inhalation of asbestos fibers can lead to increase risk of developing several diseases such as lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma. The parent rocks of asbestos have been mainly associated with (ultra)mafic and carbonate rock. The previous studies on NOA were mainly limited to (ultra)mafic rock-hosted asbestos, but studies on carbonate rock-hosted asbestos are relatively rare in S. Korea. Therefore, this study was aimed to examine mineralogical characteristics of carbonate rock-hosted NOA at three sites including Muju and Jangsu, Jeonbuk province and Asan, Chungnam province. Types of rocks at the three sites mainly consisted of Precambrian metasedimentary rocks, carbonate rock, and Cretaceous and Jurassic granites. Asbestos-containing carbonate rock samples were obtained for mineralogical characterization. XRD, PLM, EPMA, SEM and EDS analyses were used to characterize mineralogical characteristics of the carbonate rock-hosted NOA. From the carbonate rock, fibrous minerals were occurred acicular and columnar forms in the three sites. Fibrous minerals were composed of mainly tremolite and associated minerals included possibly asbestos containing materials (ACM) such as talc, vermiculite, and sepiolite. The length and aspect ratios of tremolite were similar to the standard asbestiform (length >$5{\mu}m$, length:width = 3:1). These results indicate that both non-asbestiform and asbestiform tremolite with acicular forms occurred in carbonate rocks at three sites. Geological and geochemical characteristics and mineral assemblages indicate tremolite and associated minerals might be formed by hydrothermal alternation and/or hydrothermal veins of carbonate rocks due to intrusion of acidic igneous rocks.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Rock Mechanics Conference
• /
• 2008.10a
• /
• pp.271-277
• /
• 2008

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.47 no.5
• /
• pp.467-477
• /
• 2014

Naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) occurs in rocks and soils as a result of natural weathering and human activities. The asbestos have been associated with ultramafic and mafic rocks, and carbonate rock. The previous studies on NOA were mainly limited to ultramafic and mafic rock-hosted asbestos in Korea. But, studies on carbonatehosted asbestos are relatively rare. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to investigate mineralogical characteristics of carbonate-hosted and metapelite-hosted NOA and to examine genesis of NOA occurred in the both rocks. The study area was Daerori, Seosan, Chungnam Province, Korea. The major rock formation consisted of limestone and schist which have been known to contain asbestos. Sampling was performed at outcrop which contained carbonate rock showing acicular asbestos crystals as well as pegmatitic intrusion that contacted with carbonate rock. PLM, XRD, EPMA, and EDS analyses were used to characterize mineral assemblages, mineralogical characteristics, and crystal habits of amphiboles and other minerals. BSEM images were also used to examine the genesis of asbestos minerals. The amphibole group was observed in all of the carbonate rocks, and actinolite and tremolite were identified in all rocks. These mineral habits were mainly micro-acicular crystals or secondary asbestiform minerals on the surface of non-asbestiform minerals appearing split end of columnar crystals produced by weathering. BSEM images showed residual textures of samples. The residual textures of carbonate rocks showed dolomite-tremolite-diopside mineral assemblages that formed during prograde metasomatism stage. Some carbonate rock also showed diopside-tremolite-talc mineral assemblages which were formed during retrograde metasomatism stage, as the residual textures. In result the presence of asbestos actinolite-tremolite in the carbonate rocks were confirmed in the areas where actinolite-tremolite asbestos was influenced by low temperature hydrothermal solution during metasomatism stage. These asbestos minerals showed the acicular asbestiform minerals, but even non-asbestiform minerals, a bundle or columnar shape, could transform to asbestiform minerals as potential NOA by weathering because the end of columnar shape of non-asbestiform minerals appeared as multiple acicular shaped fibers.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.19 no.5
• /
• pp.393-405
• /
• 2019

This paper evaluates the geotechnical and geo-engineering properties of the South Pars Zone (SPZ) marls in Assalouyeh, Iran. These marly beds mostly belong to the Aghajari and Mishan formations which entail the gray, cream, black, green, dark red and pink types. Marls can be observed as rock (soft rock) or soil. Marlstone outcrops show a relatively rapid change to soils in the presence of weathering. To geotechnically characterise the marls, field and laboratory experiments such as particle-size distribution, hydrometer, Atterberg limits, uniaxial compression, laboratory direct-shear, durability and carbonate content tests have been performed on soil and rock samples to investigate the physico-mechanical properties and behaviour of the SPZ marls in order to establish empirical relations between the geo-engineering features of the marls. Based on the experiments conducted on marly soils, the USCS classes of the marls is CL to CH which has a LL ranging from 32 to 57% and PL ranging from 18 to 27%. Mineralogical analyses of the samples revealed that the major clay minerals of the marls belong to the smectite or illite groups with low to moderate swelling activities. The geomechanical investigations revealed that the SPZ marls are classified as argillaceous lime, calcareous marl and marlstone (based on the carbonate content) which show variations in the geomechanical properties (i.e., with a cohesion ranging from 97 to 320 kPa and a friction angle ranging from 16 to 35 degrees). The results of the durability tests revealed that the degradation potential showed a wide variation from none to fully disintegrated. According to the results of the experiments, the studied marls have been classified as calcareous marl, marlstone and argillaceous lime due to the variations in the carbonate and clay contents. The results have shown that an increase in the carbonate content leads to a decrease in the degradation potential and an increase in the density and strength parameters such as durability and compressive strength. A comparison of the empirical relationships obtained from the regression analyses with similar studies revealed that the results obtained herein are reasonably reliable.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2022

The purpose of this study is to prepare GPTMS((3-Glycidoxypropyl) trimethoxysilane)-SiO₂ nanofluid and analyze the effect of nanofluid injection on carbonate reservoirs. Structural analysis of silica nanoparticles modified by GPTMS was investigated by FTIR(Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy). C-H stretching vibrations at 2,950 cm^-1 indicating the silica surface modification with GPTMS were observed when the silane feed was over 0.5 mmol/g. Also, the coreflooding test by nanofluid injection on the aged limestone and dolomite plug samples was carried out with different particle concentration and flow rate. The incremental oil recovery was up to 18.9%, and contact angle and permeability of carbonate samples were changed by the effect of nanoparticle adsorption on pore which caused wettability alteration and pore size change. Therefore, the prepared nanofluid will be utilized as an injection fluid for enhancing oil recovery and modifying fluid flow properties such as change of rock wettability and permeability in carbonate reservoirs.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.919-925
• /
• 2018

Stress-strain responses of weak-to-strong carbonate rocks used for tunnel construction were studied. The analysis of applicability of exponential stress-strain models based on Haldane's distribution function is presented. It is revealed that these exponential equations presented in transformed forms allow us to predict stress-strain relationships over the whole pre-failure strain range without mechanical testing of rock samples under compression using a press machine and to avoid measurements of axial failure strains for which relatively large values of compressive stress are required. In this study, only one point measurement (small strain at small stress) using indentation test and uniaxial compressive strength determined by a standard Schmidt hammer are considered as input parameters to predict stress-strain response from zero strain/zero stress up to failure. Observations show good predictive capabilities of transformed stress-stress models for weak-to-strong (${\sigma}_c$ <100 MPa) heterogeneous carbonate rocks exhibiting small (< 0.5 %), intermediate (< 1 %) and large (> 1 %) axial strains.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
• /
• 2005.04a
• /
• pp.405-407
• /
• 2005

To evaluate the main hydrogeochemical characteristics, river waters are investigated using element리 and isotopic compositions in South Korea. In this area, the chemical compositions are mostly classified into three groups; $Ca^{2+}-{HCO_3}^-$ type, $Ca^{2+}-Cl^{-}-{NO_3}^-$ type and $Ca^{2+}-{HCO_3}^{-}-Cl^{-}-{NO_3}^-$ type. These types are affected by two major factors: water-rock interaction and anthropogenic inputs such as sewage and fertilizers. Based on the values of ${\delta}^{18}O$ and ${\delta}D$, most of waters are originated from precipitation except two samples contaminated. The lithology and geography of basins mainly control the water chemistry. Elemental and isotopic compositions show that water chemistry are mainly controlled by three end members, especially by carbonate dissolution, and suggest that anthropogenic input affect the water chemistry. Also, three weathering sources are identified: silicates, dolomite and limestone.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.85-96
• /
• 2023

Microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) is extensively discussed as a promising topic for ground stabilization. The practical effect of stabilizing the expansive soil is presented in this paper with a logical process from the bacterial activity to the treatment technology. Temperature, pH, shaking frequency, and inoculation amount are discussed to evaluate the bacterial activity. The physic-mechanic properties are also evaluated to discuss the effect of the MICP process on expansive soil. Results indicate that the MICP method achieves the mitigation of expansion. The treated soil has a low proportion of fine particles (< 5 ㎛), the plasticity index significantly decreases, and strength values improve much. MICP process has a significant cementation effect on the soil matrix. Moreover, the infiltration model test presents the coating effect on the topsoil. According to the relation between the CaCO₃ content and the treatment effect, the topsoil has better treatment than the deeper soil.

• 한국해양학회지
• /
• v.30 no.5
• /
• pp.480-492
• /
• 1995

Petrographic investigation has been carried out to determine the composition of the beach sediments and the affecting factors which have controlled their compositional variations from Hyupjae, Aeweol, Iho, Samyang, Hamdeok, Sehwa, Pyoseon, Jungmun, and Hwasun areas along the coast of the Cheju Island. Average mean sizes of the beach sediments are Hyupjae 2.2ø, Aeweol 0.8ø, Iho 1.4ø, Samyang 2.4ø, Hamdeok 1.6ø, Sehwa 1.5ø, Pyoseon 2.1ø, Jungmun 0.4ø, and Hwasun 0.9ø, thus, aries from 0.4 to 2.4ø. The beach sediments from Pyoseon and Hwasun areas are poorly sorted, those from Aeweol and Jungmun areas are moderately sorted and those from the rest of the areas are moderately well sorted. While-colored beach sediments in Hyupjae, Aeweol, Hamdeok, Sehwa, and Pyoseon areas are mostly composed of calcareous shells (more than 85%) such as mollusk, red algae, benthic foraminiferas, etc., whereas volcanic rock fragment is the dominant component of the black-colored beach sediments in Iho, Samyang, and Hwasun areas. Especially, the relatively white-colored beach sediment in Jungmun area, which is on e of the carbonate-dominant areas, shows a higher content of rock fragments than the other carbonate-dominant areas. The beach sediments in Pyoseon area show a high content of carbonate intercalates. Considering the contributions by organisms according to grain size, grains with the size range of 1∼2ø are mostly composed of calcareous red algae fragments, and grains with the size range of 2∼3ø consist of mollusk fragments. It is also notable that bryozoan fragments comprise about 48% of the sediment in Samyang area with the size range of 0∼1ø. The composition of the beach sediments in Cheju Island appears o be controlled by the riverine supply rate of volcanic rock fragments, the lithology of the rocks distributed ear the beaches, the direction of alongshore currents, and the direction of storms, etc.. It is suggested that the beach sediments in Iho and Samyang areas show black color because of the higher supply rate of the volcanic rock fragments from the nearby rivers, whereas those in the rest of the areas show white color due to the relatively lower content of volcanic rock fragments and higher content of carbonate components transported from shallow marine environment. In Hwasun area, the content of volcanic rock fragments is high, and they are directly from the tuffaceous rocks distributed nearby. Also, the volcanic rock fragments in Jungmun area are transported not only from the rivers nearby but also from the nearby tuffs by storm activities. The beach sediment in Pyoseon area contains a high content of carbonate intercalates, which formed in the nearby shallow marine environment through marine cementation. This indicates that active marine cementation occurs in shallow marine environment near Pyoseon area.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.7-15
• /
• 2014

This study was conducted to understand the chemical characteristics of groundwater in carbonate areas of Korea. In this study, data on pH, electric conductivity (EC), $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Na^+$, $K^+$, $Cl^-$, $SO_4{^{2-}}$, and $HCO_3{^-}$ were collected from 97 wells which were installed in various carbonate rock regions of Korea. The pH values ranged from 5.7 to 9.9, and the average value was 7.3. The concentration range showed differences between the maximum value of $HCO_3{^-}$ and the medium to minimum values of $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Na^+$, $Cl^-$, $SO_4{^{2-}}$, and $K^+$ in the study area. The average value of EC was $374{\mu}S/cm$, higher than in granite and gneiss areas, where the value is $176{\mu}S/cm$. Most of the groundwater was type $Ca-HCO_3$, and some was type $Mg-HCO_3$. The relationship between $Ca^{2+}$, $Cl^-$, and $HCO_3{^-}$, respectively, and EC showed relatively significant positive correlations compared to the other dissolved components. However, the determination coefficients for $Mg^{2+}$, $Na^+$, $SO_4{^{2-}}$, and $K^+$ were very low less than 0.2. These results indicate that the source of $Ca^{2+}$ and $Mg^{2+}$ is relatively simple (carbonate dissolution) compared to other sources. The sources of $Na^+$, $K^+$, $Cl^-$, $SO_4{^{2-}}$, and $HCO_3{^-}$ might be not only water-rock interactions, but also irrigation return flow, because many groundwater wells had been developed for irrigation purposes. Subsequently, the influence of agriculture on groundwater chemistry was evaluated using a cumulative plot of $SO_4{^{2-}}$. The threshold value of $SO_4{^{2-}}$ calculated from the cumulative frequency curve was 29.2 mg/L. Therefore, 12.4% of all the groundwater wells were affected by agricultural activity.