Scanning and transmission analytical electron microscopy (STEM-EDX) identifies minor minerals and the location of minor elements in the clay fraction of soils
Mineral extraction plus STEM-EDX enabled the study of accessory minerals in the clay. Some minerals with unusual occurrence in soils were identified. Particle and more weathered positions in fluorophlogopite had lower F, K and Mg. Zn and Mg in sauconite-saponite are distributed homogeneously in octahedral sites. STEM-EDX should be better used on mineral studies of clay fraction.