The soil properties are function of mineral type, characteristics of
pore fluid, microstructure of soil, and environmental conditions. Scanning
electron microscope (SEM) can be used as a tool for a direct study of soil
microstructure. In addition, one of the methods for evaluation of heavy metal
contaminated clayey soils is related to the application of SEM. In this paper,
a method for homogeneous sample preparation for SEM micrograph from
clayey soil suspension is presented. Due to the importance of the application
of undisturbed samples for SEM study, different methods of sample
preparation including; peeling, fracturing, and resin application for
contaminated soils are investigated. Sample of illite and kaolinite were
laboratory contaminated with different concentrations of lead nitrate as a
source of heavy metals. After achieving equilibrium, samples were exposed
to the resin. Then, different sample preparation methods were applied for
those contaminated illite and kaolinite. Finally, micrographs of samples were
taken by scanning electron microscope. The impact of sample preparation
method on the quality of SEM images in these clay minerals and in the
presence of Pb ions is investigated. The prepared SEM pictures are
compared with untreated samples as well. The results indicate that the
exposure of samples to resin has a noticeable impact on the quality of SEM
micrographs of contaminated clay minerals.