German scientists confirm occurrence of elemental fluorine in nature

German researchers reported they have found experimental evidence for the presence of elemental fluorine in the mineral antozonite.

The mineral antozonite  “is characterized by the presence of multiple inclusions containing elemental fluorine when the crystals are crushed or broken, the elemental fluorine is released”, according to wikipedia, but chemists have doubted for long time the existance of elemental fluorine in nature.

Fluorine is the most reactive of all chemical elements and requires extremely careful handling. Because of its very aggressive properties, until now university professors have taught to their students that fluorine cannot occur in nature in its elemental form.