Trace elements distribution and mineralogical composition in the

Mineralogical composition and trace elements distribution in the < 2-mu m size fraction of Late Cretaceous-Oligocene shales from the southern Apennines (Italy) are presented. The clay mineral assemblage consists of illite, smectite, kaolinite and minor chlorite. Analytical evidence points to a detrital micaceous precursor for illite and smectite. Accessory phases were also found. Chemical data, normalized with respect to the Post-Archean Australian Shales (PAAS), indicate depletion of Ba, Rb, Y, Zr and enrichment of Nb. PAAS-normalized REE-patterns exhibit a positive Eu anomaly and HREE depletion. A kaolinite-rich sample has high Sigma REE contents in contrast to smectite-rich fractions. A REE-pattern without appreciable Eu anomaly is displayed by the illite-rich sample. Statistical data processing indicates a link between Ti, P, Y, Zr, Nb and Yb, suggesting that accessory phases may play a role in controlling HREE and that the observed LREE/HREE fractionation may also be due to hydraulic sorting of these phases. An important La-kaolinite relationship accounts for the capability of this phase to host LREE. Smectite and, thus, adsorption mechanisms, appear to exert a limited role in distributing REE. The Eu anomaly is a source inherited feature, probably not determined solely by clay minerals.