Diatomite

Laterite

Diatomite and Laterite

Diatomite

Laterite

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Definition

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

Laterite rock is a type of Sedimentary rock which is rich in iron and aluminium, formed in hot and wet tropical areas

History

Origin

Germany

India

Discoverer

Unknown

Francis Buchanan-Hamilton

Etymology

From diatom + -ite1

From Latin later brick, tile + -ite1

Class

Sedimentary Rocks

Sub-Class

Durable Rock, Soft Rock

Family

Group

Other Categories

Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock

Texture

Clastic or Non-Clastic

Earthy, Massive, Porphyritic

Color

Grey, White, Yellow

Brown, Buff, Red

Maintenance

Less

Durability

Non-Durable

Durable

Water Resistant

✔ ✘

Scratch Resistant

✔ ✘

Stain Resistant

✔ ✘

Wind Resistant

✔ ✘

Acid Resistant

✔ ✘

Appearance

Soft

Rough and Banded

Uses

Architecture

Interior Uses

Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration

Decorative Aggregates, Flooring, Interior Decoration

Exterior Uses

Garden Decoration, Paving Stone

As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration

Other Architectural Uses

Curbing

Industry

Construction Industry

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

Cobblestones, for Road Aggregate, Landscaping, Roadstone

Medical Industry

Antiquity Uses

Artifacts

Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture

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

An Oil and Gas Reservoir, Source of bauxite, Used in aquariums

Types

Diatomite

Laterite

Features

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

Is one of the oldest rock, Very fine grained 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.

Laterite is a type of sedimentary rock which is generally a reddish weathering product of basalt.

Composition

Mineral Content

Calcite, Clay, Clay Minerals, Quartz, Sand

Aluminum Oxides, Biotite, Hematite, Hornblade, Iron Oxides, Manganese Oxides, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Plagioclase, Pyroxene

Compound Content

Ca, NaCl, CaO

Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide

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, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion

Properties

Physical Properties

Hardness

1 7

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Grain Size

Very fine-grained

Fine Grained

Fracture

Conchoidal

Streak

White

Porosity

Highly Porous

Luster

Dull

Compressive Strength

-5.00 N/mm²

0.15 450

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Cleavage

Toughness

Specific Gravity

2.3-2.4-9999

0 8.4

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Transparency

Opaque

Density

2.49-2.51 g/cm³-9999 g/cm³

0 1400

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Thermal Properties

Specific Heat Capacity

0.90 kJ/Kg K0.92 kJ/Kg K

0.14 3.2

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Resistance

Heat Resistant

Heat Resistant, Pressure Resistant

Reserves

Deposits in Eastern Continents

Asia

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

India

Africa

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

East Africa, Western Africa

Europe

England, France, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom

England, Romania, Scotland

Others

Deposits in Western Continents

North America

Canada, USA

South America

Colombia

Deposits in Oceania Continent

Australia

Adelaide, New Zealand, Queensland, Victoria, Yorke Peninsula

Central Australia, Western Australia

All about Diatomite and Laterite Properties

Know all about Diatomite and Laterite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Diatomite and Laterite belong to Sedimentary Rocks.Texture of Diatomite is Clastic or Non-Clastic whereas that of Laterite is Earthy, Massive, Porphyritic. Diatomite appears Soft and Laterite appears Rough and Banded. The luster of Diatomite and Laterite is dull. Diatomite is available in grey, white, yellow colors whereas Laterite is available in brown, buff, red 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 Laterite are an oil and gas reservoir, source of bauxite, used in aquariums.