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Earth & Environmental Research


Earth & Environmental Research

Earth & Environmental Research Environmental & Material Sciences > Major Research Activities(x) Home

In order to understand the chronological order of the evolutional and environmental changes of the Earth, we develop dating techniques, perform collaborative studies, and use various types of equipment for luminescence and radiogenic isotope dating, including the sensitive high resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP).

Research Focus

  • Application of isotopic composition of human bones to archaeology
  • Investigations on luminescence dating of dolmens
  • 40Ar-39Ar age determination for single feldspar grains using multi- collector noble gas mass spectrometer
  • Analysis of uranium isotopes in nuclide particles using SHRIMP
  • Experimental investigation of Mg isotope fractionation during mineral dissolution and clay formation
  • Preliminary study of the presence of radionuclides in sludge from conventional drinking water treatment plants
  • Development of water security technology for radioactive exposure emergency assistance
  • Developing analytical techniques with cutting-edge devices, providing analytical support, and conducting joint research
  • Development of forensic analytical techniques using radiogenic isotopes in human bones

Representative Research Cases

Evaluation of multiple PRP’s Contributions to Soil contamination using radioactive cesium around historically contaminated site

  • This study allocated the contributions of remedial responsibilities based on field evidences such as vertical distribution of radioactive cesium and amount of accumulated pollutants in a contaminated site. It provides more accurate evaluation techniques than previous literature-based method.
  • A close link between the collisional orogenesis and subduction initiationEstimation of the duration and amount of contamination using vertical distribution of radioactive cesium

Magmatic response to the collisional and accretionary orogenies in Korea

  • The magmatic response to the interplay of continental and oceanic plate subduction was investigated using whole-rock geochemical, zircon U-Pb geochronological and O-Hf isotopic data obtained from Triassic collision- and arc-related plutons in central and southeastern Korea (GSA Bulletin, 2019)
  • A close link between the collisional orogenesis and subduction initiationA close link between the collisional orogenesis and subduction initiation

Effects of irrigation return flow on water chemistry of stream and groundwater in a watershed

  • Each portion of soil, groundwater, and rain water in stream water were calculated using three-component hydrograph separation model. The effects of irrigation return flow on stream and groundwater in a watershed were estimated to understand the water chemistry in more detail. The results will be useful to elucidate the sources and processes controlling water chemistry in stream and groundwater (Science of the Total Environment, 2018).
  • Water chemistry impacts of irrigation return flow on surface and subsurface water, using combination of three-component hydrograph separation models (THSM), multi-isotopes and elementsWater chemistry impacts of irrigation return flow on surface and subsurface water, using combination of three-component hydrograph separation models (THSM), multi-isotopes and elements