A rapid multi-element analysis method for clay mineral samples wasdescribed. This method utilized a polarized wavelength dispersive X-rayfluorescence spectrometer—Axios PW4400,which had a maximum tube power of 4 000watts. The method was developed for the determination of As, Mn, Co, Cu, Cr, Dy,Ga, Mo, P, Pb, Rb, S, Sr, Ni, ,Cs, Ta, Th, Ti, U, V, Y, Zn, Zr, MgO, K2O, Na2O,CaO, Fe2O3, Al2O3, SiO2 and so on. Thirty elements in clay mineral species weremeasured by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry with pressed powder pellets. Spectralinterferences, in particular the indirect interferences of each element, werestudied. A method to distinguish the interference between each other periodicelements in element periodic table was put forward. The measuring conditions andexistence were mainly investigated,and the selected background position as wellas corrected spectral overlap for the trace elements were also discussed. It wasfound that the indirect spectral overlap line was the same important as directspectral overlap line. Due to inducing the effect of indirect spectral overlap,some elements jlike Bi, Sn, W which do not need analysis were also added to theelements channel. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was in the range of 0.01%to 5.45% except three elements Mo, Cs and Ta. The detection limits, precisionsand accuracies for most elements using this method can meet the requirements ofsample analysis in clay mineral species.mineral； Reference material科发人教字<2006378>)资助