Here's a few useful papers on the topic:

Nesbitt, H. W., and Young, G. M., 1982, Early Proterozoic climates and plate motions inferred from major element chemistry of luitites: Nature, v. 299, p. 715-717.

Nesbitt, H. W., and Young, G. M., 1984, Prediction of some weathering trends of plutonic and volcanic rocks based on thermodynamic and kinetic considerations: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 48, p. 1523-1534.

Nesbitt, H. W., Fedo, C. M., and Young, G. M., 1997, Quartz and feldspar stability, steady and non-steady-state weathering, and petrogenesis of siliciclastic sands and muds: Journal of Geology, v. 105, p. 173-191.

Young, G. M., and Nesbitt, H. W., 1998, Processes controlling the distribution of Ti and Al in weathering profiles, siliciclastic sediments and sedimentary rocks: Journal of Sedimentary Research, v. 68, p. 448-455.

Sedimentary geochemistry and a combination of statistical tools have become indispensible tools for infering palaeoclimate. Literature abund on this topic. However, the reliability and the effectiveness of these tools depend on the sample material, laboratory protocols followed, and the expertise available.

Dear Dr. Ramkumar please suggest me some latest good papers on use of shale (Proterozoic) geochemistry for inferring palaeoclimate. Regards. Himadri

You could think about stable isotope geochemistry of oxygen and carbon isotope as well. Are your sediments marine or terrestrial? Stable isotope geochemistry can be used for both environments, but with different methodologies. It also depends on what palaeoclimate parameters you want to focus on.

I have just finished a paper on the weathering of shales due to an impact and subsequent acid fallout. In this case it certainly tells you about the paleo-environment, also different shales can easily inform you if the depositional environment was anaerobic or oxygenated. Be careful that you don't mistake the source material any environment you wish to infer to the shale depositional environment.

John Paul Jones MSU