1 Definition
1.1 Definition
Banded iron formation are distinctive units of sedimentary rock that are almost always of Precambrian age
Diatomite is a fine-grained sedimentary rock which is formed from consolidated diatomaceous earth
1.2 History
1.2.1 Origin
Western Australia, Minnesota
Germany
1.2.2 Discoverer
1.3 Etymology
From its formation process
From diatom + -ite1
1.4 Class
Sedimentary Rocks
Sedimentary Rocks
1.4.1 Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
1.5 Family
1.5.1 Group
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
1.6 Other Categories
Coarse Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
2 Texture
2.1 Texture
Banded, Trellis
Clastic or Non-Clastic
2.2 Color
Red, Reddish Brown
Grey, White, Yellow
2.3 Maintenance
2.4 Durability
2.4.1 Water Resistant
2.4.2 Scratch Resistant
2.4.3 Stain Resistant
2.4.4 Wind Resistant
2.4.5 Acid Resistant
2.5 Appearance
Layered, Banded, Veined and Shiny
Soft
3 Uses
3.1 Architecture
3.1.1 Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Homes
Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
3.1.2 Exterior Uses
Paving Stone, Office Buildings
Garden Decoration, Paving Stone
3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses
Curbing, Whetstones
Curbing
3.2 Industry
3.2.1 Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Used for flooring, stair treads, borders and window sills.
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate, Landscaping, Making natural cement, Source of calcium
3.2.2 Medical Industry
Not Yet Used
Not Yet Used
3.3 Antiquity Uses
3.4 Other Uses
3.4.1 Commercial Uses
As a touchstone, Cemetery Markers, Creating Artwork
Alumina Refineries, Animal feed filler, As a Feed Additive for Livestock, Creating Artwork, Drawing on blackboards, Fire resistant, Gymnasts, athletes and mountain climbers use for grip, In aquifers, Soil Conditioner, To ignite fire, Used as a filter medium, Used as an insecticide, Whiting material in toothpaste, paint and paper
4 Types
4.1 Types
Algoma-type , Lake Superior-type, Superior-type and Taconite
Not Available
4.2 Features
Is one of the oldest rock
Clasts are smooth to touch, Is one of the oldest rock, Smooth to touch, Very fine grained rock
4.3 Archaeological Significance
4.3.1 Monuments
Not Yet Used
Not Yet Used
4.3.2 Famous Monuments
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4.3.3 Sculpture
Not Yet Used
Not Yet Used
4.3.4 Famous Sculptures
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4.3.5 Pictographs
4.3.6 Petroglyphs
4.3.7 Figurines
Not Yet Used
Not Yet Used
4.4 Fossils
5 Formation
5.1 Formation
The banded iron layers are formed in sea water when oxygen is released by photosynthetic cyano-bacteria. The oxygen then combines with dissolved iron in ocean to form insoluble iron oxides, which precipitated out, forming a thin layer of banded iron formation on ocean floor.
Diatomite rock formed from the skeletal remains of single celled plants called diatoms. When diatoms die, their skeletal remains sink to the bottom of lakes and oceans etc. hence forming diatomite deposit.
5.2 Composition
5.2.1 Mineral Content
Hematite, Magnetite, Quartz
Calcite, Clay, Clay Minerals, Quartz, Sand
5.2.2 Compound Content
Fe, Iron(III) Oxide, Silicon Dioxide
Ca, NaCl, CaO
5.3 Transformation
5.3.1 Metamorphism
5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
5.3.3 Weathering
5.3.4 Types of Weathering
Chemical Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
5.3.5 Erosion
5.3.6 Types of Erosion
Coastal Erosion, Wind Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Wind Erosion
6 Properties
6.1 Physical Properties
6.1.1 Hardness
6.1.2 Grain Size
Large and Coarse Grained
Very fine-grained
6.1.3 Fracture
Uneven, Splintery or Conchoidal
Not Available
6.1.4 Streak
6.1.5 Porosity
Highly Porous
Highly Porous
6.1.6 Luster
6.1.7 Compressive Strength
6.1.8 Cleavage
6.1.9 Toughness
6.1.10 Specific Gravity
6.1.11 Transparency
Translucent to Opaque
Opaque
6.1.12 Density
Not Available2.49-2.51 g/cm3
0
1400
6.2 Thermal Properties
6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity
3.20 kJ/Kg K0.90 kJ/Kg K
0.14
3.2
6.2.2 Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant
Heat Resistant
7 Reserves
7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents
7.1.1 Asia
China, India, Iran, Iraq, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam
Brunei, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
7.1.2 Africa
Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania
Cameroon, Chad, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, Zimbabwe
7.1.3 Europe
Austria, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom
England, France, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom
7.1.4 Others
Greenland, Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Not Yet Found
7.2 Deposits in Western Continents
7.2.1 North America
Canada, Mexico, USA
Canada, USA
7.2.2 South America
7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent
7.3.1 Australia
New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia
Adelaide, New Zealand, Queensland, Tonga, Victoria, Yorke Peninsula