Geochemistry and mineralogy of "Monte del Casino' section: pre- evaporitic shales of Tortonian-Messinian age (northern Apennines, Italy)

Two main lithofacies have been recognized: HE (hemipelagites) SM (sapropelic marls). Sometimes a third lithofacies occurs DM (dark mudstones). SM and HE alternate cyclically, SM being more frequent upward. SM and HE display different mineralogical composition with HE enriched in carbonates and SM with higher pyrite content. Mineralogical and geochemical data have been used to model paleoenvironmental conditions. V/(V + Ni) ratio display dysoxic environment during HE deposition; for SM anoxic conditions with water column stratification developed, confirmed also by variations in Corg and S.