Geotechnical and minero-chemical data of the Cutro Clay Formation (Calabria, Southern Italy)

Abstract

This paper deals with the geotechnical and the minero-chemical characterization carried out on samples from the coastal area of a portion of the Crotone Basin, where Plio-Pleistocene fine-grained sediments crop out. Eleven representative samples, taken at the surface, of the Cutro Clay Formation were investigated by geotechnical laboratory tests and geochemical and mineralogical analyses. The obtained results provided interesting physical and mineralogical information about the analyzed specimens. The comparison between the geotechnical analyses and the geochemical and mineralogical investigations proved to be particularly interesting, showing a certain correlation and allowing a wider characterization of the sediment properties. From the activity index, determined by geotechnical laboratory tests, it was possible to predict the dominant clay minerals in the studied samples. Considering the typical values of Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit and Activity the studied samples fall in the range of limited activity and low activity. Thus, the results show that the Plio-Pleistocene fine fractions mainly consist of illite and kaolinite as confirmed by the minero-chemical analyses. Moreover, the element ratios testify to provenance for the studied samples from source areas characterized by felsic rocks with a minor mafic supply that underwent low to moderate paleoweathering effects.