In this review we highlight the performance of confocal micro X-ray fluorescence (CMXRF) for application in environmental science, citing contributions from recent studies (2008-2010). In CMXRF the use of focusing and collecting optics enables discrimination of the origin of fluorescence photons in three dimensions. It thereby enables simple and direct three dimensional imaging, and also the removal of unwanted signal contribution either from the depth of the sample or from its surface. By limiting the area of origin of fluorescence signal CMXRF can simplify quantitative approaches.