Diatomite and Laterite
Definition
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
Sedimentary Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
Family
Group
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Texture
Texture
Clastic or Non-Clastic
Earthy, Massive, Porphyritic
Color
Grey, White, Yellow
Brown, Buff, Red
Maintenance
Less
Less
Durability
Non-Durable
Durable
Water Resistant
No
No
Scratch Resistant
No
No
Stain Resistant
No
No
Wind Resistant
No
No
Acid Resistant
No
No
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
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
Not Yet Used
Not Yet Used
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
Types
Not Available
Not Available
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
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
Present
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.
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
No
No
Types of Metamorphism
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Weathering
Yes
Yes
Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering
Erosion
Yes
Yes
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Wind Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
Properties
Physical Properties
Hardness
1
2
Grain Size
Very fine-grained
Fine Grained
Fracture
Not Available
Conchoidal
Streak
White
White
Porosity
Highly Porous
Highly Porous
Luster
Dull
Dull
Cleavage
Non-Existent
Not Applicable
Toughness
1
Not Available
Specific Gravity
2.3-2.4
Not Available
Transparency
Opaque
Opaque
Density
2.49-2.51 g/cm3
Not Available
Thermal Properties
Specific Heat Capacity
0.90 kJ/Kg K
12
Not Available
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
Not Yet Found
Not Yet Found
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
Canada, USA
Canada, USA
South America
Colombia
Not Yet Found
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
Adelaide, New Zealand, Queensland, Tonga, 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.
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