Diatomite and Dunite
Definition
Definition
Diatomite is a fine-grained sedimentary rock which is formed from consolidated diatomaceous earth
Dunite is a green to brownish coarse-grained igneous rock mainly consisting of olivine
History
Origin
Germany
New Zealand
Discoverer
Unknown
Ferdinand von Hochstetter
Etymology
From diatom + -ite1
From the name of Dun Mountain, New Zealand, + -ite1
Class
Sedimentary Rocks
Igneous Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Family
Group
Not Applicable
Plutonic
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Coarse Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Texture
Texture
Clastic or Non-Clastic
Phaneritic
Color
Grey, White, Yellow
Dark Greenish - Grey
Maintenance
Less
Less
Durability
Non-Durable
Durable
Water Resistant
No
Yes
Scratch Resistant
No
Yes
Stain Resistant
No
Yes
Wind Resistant
No
No
Acid Resistant
No
No
Appearance
Soft
Rough and Shiny
Uses
Architecture
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration
Exterior Uses
Garden Decoration, Paving Stone
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Paving Stone
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
Curbing
Industry
Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate, Landscaping, Making natural cement, Source of calcium
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement, Raw material for the manufacture of mortar
Medical Industry
Not Yet Used
Not Yet Used
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture, Small Figurines
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
Creating Artwork, Gemstone, Jewelry, Source of Chromite, Platinum, Nickel and Garnet, Source of Diamonds
Types
Types
Not Available
Not Available
Features
Clasts are smooth to touch, Is one of the oldest rock, Smooth to touch, Very fine grained rock
Constitutes upper part of the Earth's mantle, Generally rough to touch, Host rock for Diamond, Is one of the oldest rock
Archaeological Significance
Monuments
Not Yet Used
Used
Famous Monuments
Not Applicable
Data Not Available
Sculpture
Not Yet Used
Used
Famous Sculptures
Not Applicable
Data Not Available
Pictographs
Used
Used
Petroglyphs
Used
Used
Figurines
Not Yet Used
Used
Fossils
Present
Absent
Formation
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.
Dunite is a plutonic ultramafic igneous rock consisting almost m olivine. It can be formed in two ways.
Composition
Mineral Content
Calcite, Clay, Clay Minerals, Quartz, Sand
Amphibole, Chromite, Garnet, Magnesium, Olivine, Phlogopite, Plagioclase, Pyroxene
Compound Content
Ca, NaCl, CaO
Ca, CaO, Fe, Potassium, Silicon Dioxide, Sodium, Titanium Dioxide
Transformation
Metamorphism
No
Yes
Types of Metamorphism
Not Applicable
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism
Weathering
Yes
Yes
Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Erosion
Yes
Yes
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Wind Erosion
Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion, Water Erosion
Properties
Physical Properties
Hardness
1
3.5-4
Grain Size
Very fine-grained
Coarse Grained
Fracture
Not Available
Irregular
Streak
White
White
Porosity
Highly Porous
Less Porous
Luster
Dull
Shiny
Compressive Strength
Not Available
107.55 N/mm2
19
Cleavage
Non-Existent
Imperfect
Toughness
1
2.1
Specific Gravity
2.3-2.4
3-3.01
Transparency
Opaque
Translucent to Opaque
Density
2.49-2.51 g/cm3
2.84-2.85 g/cm3
Thermal Properties
Specific Heat Capacity
0.90 kJ/Kg K
12
1.25 kJ/Kg K
6
Resistance
Heat Resistant
Heat Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant
Reserves
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
Brunei, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
China, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey
Africa
Cameroon, Chad, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Morocco, South Africa
Europe
England, France, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom
Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, Venezuela
Others
Not Yet Found
Not Yet Found
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
Canada, USA
Canada, USA
South America
Colombia
Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
Adelaide, New Zealand, Queensland, Tonga, Victoria, Yorke Peninsula
New Zealand, Western Australia
All about Diatomite and Dunite Properties
Know all about Diatomite and Dunite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Diatomite belongs to Sedimentary Rocks while Dunite belongs to Igneous Rocks.Texture of Diatomite is Clastic or Non-Clastic whereas that of Dunite is Phaneritic. Diatomite appears Soft and Dunite appears Rough and Shiny. The luster of Diatomite is dull while that of Dunite is shiny. Diatomite is available in grey, white, yellow colors whereas Dunite is available in dark greenish - grey 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 Dunite are creating artwork, gemstone, jewelry, source of chromite, platinum, nickel and garnet, source of diamonds.
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