Decomposition of pyrite by weathering forms sulfuric acid, which acts on potash and alumina constituents to form alum, which often occurs as efflorescences on the rock outcrop.

As the formation contains kerogen originated from algae, it is also classified as marinite-type oil shale.

[3] Alum shale also contains enhanced levels of radium as a result of uranium decay.

[5] 8502 specimens of trilobite-agnostoid fauna were found in the Furongian strata of this formation in Bornholm, Denmark.

Described gerena include Ctenopyge, Eurycare, Leptoplastus, Olenus, Parabolina, Peltura, Protopeltura, Sphaerophthalmus, Lotagnostus and Triangulopyge.