Available quantification methods for energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis in transmission electron microscopy, such as the standardless method (SLM), the Cliff-Lorimer approximation (CLA) and the absorption correction method (ACM), are compared. As expected, the CLA and ACM give superior results with respect to the SLM. As far as absorption can be considered negligible, CLA and ACM perform similarly. However, starting from mass-thickness of the order of 22 × 10^-6 g/cm², absorption become significant and the ACM gives better results. More accurate analyses can be obtained with the ACM if distinct k_O/Si factors are determined for light and heavy minerals, respectively, placing a divide at 2.90 g/cm³. Caution must be used when k-factors are derived indirectly from minerals with very different structure/chemistry, suggesting that separate k-factors data sets are required for accurate EDS quantification, at least for the major and diverse broad classes of minerals. Element diffusion of monovalent cations and channelling effects may represent a complication, especially in very anisotropic minerals such as phyllosilicates, where these two phenomena may occur together.

The global demand for bee pollen as a dietary supplement for human nutrition is increasing. Pollen, which comprises proteins and lipids from bees’ diets, is rich in essential amino acids, omega fatty acids, and bioactive compounds that can have beneficial effects on human health. However, bee pollen may also contain contaminants due to environmental contamination. To date, data on bee pollen contamination by environmental pollutants refer almost exclusively to pesticides and heavy metals, and very little information is available on the potential contamination of bee pollen by airborne particulate matter (PM), a ubiquitous pollutant that originates from a wide range of anthropogenic sources (e.g., motor vehicles, industrial processes, agricultural operations). In the present study, pollen grains collected by forager bees living in an industrial area of the Po Valley (Northern Italy) were analyzed for contamination by inorganic PM. The morpho-chemical characterization of inorganic particles using SEM/EDX allowed us to identify different emission sources and demonstrate the potential risk of PM entering the food chain and exposing bees to its ingestion.

Synchysite-(Ce) at Cinquevalli occurs as fine needles intergrown with quartz in quartz-dikes and in association with altered K-feldspar and oxidized chalcopyrite as major constituents. Synchysite-(Ce) [Ca_1.00(Ce_0.43La_0.26Nd_0.17Y_0.07Pr_0.04Sm_0.02Gd_0.01)_Σ=1.00(CO₃)₂(F_0.58(OH)_0.42)], shows an overgrowth rim of bastnäsite-(Ce) [(Ce_0.34La_0.25Nd_0.17Pb_0.07C a_0.06Y_0.06Pr_0.04S m_0.02Gd_0.01)_Σ=1.00C O₃(F_0.75(OH)_0.25)]. Unit cell refinement of synchysite (C2/c) and bastnäsite (P62c) led to a = 12.272(4), b = 7.100(2), c = 18.640(5) Å, β = 102.71(5)°, and a = 7.085(1), c = 9.746(2) Å, respectively. Polysomatic faults are sporadic, but polytypic disorder is widespread. High resolution transmission electron microscopy images taken along [100] or ⟨130⟩ show an apparent order and the related diffraction patterns are streak-free. Conversely, along [010] or ⟨110⟩, a high density of stacking faults is observed and the related diffraction patterns show hhl rows with h ≠ 3n affected by streaks. No ordered domain larger than a few unit cells was detected. The stacking sequence of (Ca,REE)-fluorcarbonates can be compared with subfamily-B mica polytypes (2M₂, 2O and 6H), which are characterized by n·60° (n = odd) rotations. Subfamily-A polytypes (1M, 2M₁ and 3T), characterized by n·60° (n = even) rotations, should not be possible. Synchysite, characterized by ±60° rotations, can be likened to the 2M₂ polytype.