Investigation of the mineral composition of Estonian graptolitic argillite

The mineral composition of different fractions of North-Estonian graptolitic argillite (dictyonema shale) is presented. The argillite fractionation was carried out bу using the combined processes of flotation and hydrocycling. As а result, the following fractions were separated: organic matter concentrates, pyrite, clays, and some products in which organic matter, pyrite and clays are closely associated with each other. That kind of fractionation has enabed us to investigate the distribution and paragenesis of minerals and elements present in argillites.