Diatomite

Diamictite

Diatomite and Diamictite

Diatomite

Diamictite

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Definition

Diatomite is a fine-grained sedimentary rock which is formed from consolidated diatomaceous earth

Diamictite is a sedimentary rock that consists of non-sorted to poorly sorted terrigenous sediment containing particles that range in size from clay to boulders, suspended in a matrix of mudstone or sandstone

History

Origin

Germany

Southern Mongolia

Discoverer

Unknown

Etymology

From diatom + -ite1

From Greek dia through and meiktós or mixed

Class

Sedimentary Rocks

Sub-Class

Durable Rock, Soft Rock

Family

Group

Other Categories

Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock

Coarse Grained Rock, Opaque Rock

Texture

Clastic or Non-Clastic

Clastic

Color

Grey, White, Yellow

Brown, Buff

Maintenance

Less

Durability

Non-Durable

Durable

Water Resistant

✔ ✘

Scratch Resistant

✔ ✘

Stain Resistant

✔ ✘

Wind Resistant

✔ ✘

Acid Resistant

✔ ✘

Appearance

Soft

Banded

Uses

Architecture

Interior Uses

Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration

Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration

Exterior Uses

Garden Decoration, Paving Stone

As Building Stone, Paving Stone

Other Architectural Uses

Curbing

Industry

Construction Industry

As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate, Landscaping, Making natural cement, Source of calcium

As Dimension Stone, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate, Landscaping, Roadstone

Medical Industry

Antiquity Uses

Artifacts

Other Uses

Commercial Uses

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

Commemorative Tablets, Creating Artwork, Production of Lime

Types

Diatomite

Bedded Diamictite and Laminated Diamictite

Features

Clasts are smooth to touch, Is one of the oldest rock, Smooth to touch, Very fine grained rock

Host Rock for Lead, Is one of the oldest rock

Archaeological Significance

Monuments

Famous Monuments

Sculpture

Famous Sculptures

Pictographs

Petroglyphs

Figurines

Fossils

Present

Formation

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.

Diamictite is unevenly sorted terrigenous, non-calcareous sedimentary rock which forms due to weathering of mudstone and sandstone.

Composition

Mineral Content

Calcite, Clay, Clay Minerals, Quartz, Sand

Calcite, Clay, Feldspar, Micas, Quartz

Compound Content

Ca, NaCl, CaO

Transformation

Metamorphism

✔ ✘

Types of Metamorphism

Weathering

✔ ✘

Types of Weathering

Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering

Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering

Erosion

✔ ✘

Types of Erosion

Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Wind Erosion

Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Water Erosion

Properties

Physical Properties

Hardness

12-3

1 7

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Grain Size

Very fine-grained

Coarse Grained

Fracture

Conchoidal to Uneven

Streak

White

Light to dark brown

Porosity

Highly Porous

Luster

Dull

Grainy, Pearly and Vitreous

Compressive Strength

0.15 450

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Cleavage

Toughness

Specific Gravity

2.3-2.44.3-5.0

0 8.4

👆🏻

Transparency

Opaque

Density

2.49-2.51 g/cm³2.2-2.35 g/cm³

0 1400

👆🏻

Thermal Properties

Specific Heat Capacity

0.90 kJ/Kg K0.75 kJ/Kg K

0.14 3.2

👆🏻

Resistance

Heat Resistant

Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant

Reserves

Deposits in Eastern Continents

Asia

Brunei, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam

China, India, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia

Africa

Cameroon, Chad, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa

Europe

England, France, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom

Austria, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom

Others

Deposits in Western Continents

North America

Canada, USA

South America

Colombia

Brazil, Venezuela

Deposits in Oceania Continent

Australia

Adelaide, New Zealand, Queensland, Victoria, Yorke Peninsula

New South Wales, New Zealand

All about Diatomite and Diamictite Properties

Know all about Diatomite and Diamictite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Diatomite and Diamictite belong to Sedimentary Rocks.Texture of Diatomite is Clastic or Non-Clastic whereas that of Diamictite is Clastic. Diatomite appears Soft and Diamictite appears Banded. The luster of Diatomite is dull while that of Diamictite is grainy, pearly and vitreous. Diatomite is available in grey, white, yellow colors whereas Diamictite is available in brown, buff colors. The commercial uses of Diatomite are 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 and that of Diamictite are commemorative tablets, creating artwork, production of lime.