Elemental composition of biomineralized amorphous mineral granules isolated from ants: Correlation with ingested mineral particles from the soil

► The elemental composition of amorphous mineral granules isolated from ants was similar to that of ingested soil particles. ► The ingested soil particles are probably the source of most cations of the amorphous mineral granules. ► It is suggested a dual function of metal storage and detoxification for amorphous mineral granules from ants.