Definition
Diatomite is a fine-grained sedimentary rock which is formed from consolidated diatomaceous earth
Talc carbonate is nothing but a rock sequence or a mineral composition found in metamorphic ultramafic rocks.
Origin
Germany
China, USA, Middle east
Discoverer
Unknown
Unknown
Etymology
From diatom + -ite1
From medieval Latin, talcum
Class
Sedimentary Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
Group
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Texture
Clastic or Non-Clastic
Very Soft
Color
Grey, White, Yellow
Colourless, Grey, White
Durability
Non-Durable
Durable
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration
Exterior Uses
Garden Decoration, Paving Stone
Garden Decoration
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
Powder
Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate, Landscaping, Making natural cement, Source of calcium
Source of calcium
Medical Industry
Not Yet Used
Taken as a Supplement for Calcium or Magnesium
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts
Artifacts, Jewellery, Monuments, Sculpture, Small Figurines
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
Manufacturing of baby powder
Types
Not Available
Not Available
Features
Clasts are smooth to touch, Is one of the oldest rock, Smooth to touch, Very fine grained rock
Easily splits into thin plates, Generally rough to touch, Host Rock for Lead
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
Petroglyphs
Used
Not Used
Figurines
Not Yet Used
Used
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.
Due to change in environmental conditions, rocks are heated and pressurized deep inside the Earth's surface. Talc Carbonate is formed from the extreme heat caused by magma or by the intense collisions and friction of tectonic plates.
Mineral Content
Calcite, Clay, Clay Minerals, Quartz, Sand
Carbonate, Chlorite, Magnesium
Compound Content
Ca, NaCl, CaO
CaO, Carbon Dioxide, MgO
Types of Metamorphism
Not Applicable
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism
Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Not Applicable
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Wind Erosion
Not Applicable
Grain Size
Very fine-grained
Fine Grained
Fracture
Not Available
Flat
Porosity
Highly Porous
Less Porous
Compressive Strength
Not Available
Cleavage
Non-Existent
Perfect
Specific Gravity
2.3-2.4
2.86
Transparency
Opaque
Translucent
Density
2.49-2.51 g/cm3
2.8-2.9 g/cm3
Resistance
Heat Resistant
Heat Resistant, Wear Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
Brunei, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
Not Yet Found
Africa
Cameroon, Chad, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Ethiopia, Ghana, Western Africa
Europe
England, France, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom
England
Others
Not Yet Found
Not Yet Found
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
Canada, USA
Canada, USA
South America
Colombia
Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
Adelaide, New Zealand, Queensland, Tonga, Victoria, Yorke Peninsula
Central Australia, South Australia, Western Australia
Diatomite vs Talc carbonate Characteristics
Though some rocks look identical, they have certain characteristics which distinguish them from others. Characteristics of rocks include texture, appearance, color, fracture, streak, hardness etc. Diatomite vs Talc carbonate characteristics assist us to distinguish and recognize rocks. Also you can check about Properties of Diatomite and Properties of Talc carbonate. Learn more about Diatomite vs Talc carbonate in the next section. The interior uses of Diatomite include Decorative aggregates, Homes and Interior decoration whereas the interior uses of Talc carbonate include Decorative aggregates and Interior decoration. Due to some exceptional properties of Diatomite and Talc carbonate, they have various applications in construction industry. The uses of Diatomite in construction industry include As dimension stone, Cement manufacture, Construction aggregate, For road aggregate, Landscaping, Making natural cement, Source of calcium and that of Talc carbonate include Source of calcium.
More about Diatomite and Talc carbonate
Here you can know more about Diatomite and Talc carbonate. The life cycle of a rock consists of formation of rock, composition of rock and transformation of rock. The composition of Diatomite and Talc carbonate consists of mineral content and compound content. The mineral content of Diatomite includes Calcite, Clay, Clay Minerals, Quartz, Sand and mineral content of Talc carbonate includes Carbonate, Chlorite, Magnesium. You can also check out the list of all Sedimentary Rocks. When we have to compare Diatomite vs Talc carbonate, the texture, color and appearance plays an important role in determining the type of rock. Diatomite is available in grey, white, yellow colors whereas, Talc carbonate is available in colourless, grey, white colors. Appearance of Diatomite is Soft and that of Talc carbonate is Soft. Properties of rock is another aspect for Diatomite vs Talc carbonate. The hardness of Diatomite is 1 and that of Talc carbonate is 1-2. The types of Diatomite are Not Available whereas types of Talc carbonate are Not Available. Streak of rock is the color of powder produced when it is dragged across an unweathered surface. The streak of Diatomite and Talc carbonate is white. The specific heat capacity of Diatomite is 0.90 kJ/Kg K and that of Talc carbonate is 0.92 kJ/Kg K. Depending on the properties like hardness, toughness, specific heat capacity, porosity etc., rocks are resistant to heat, wear, impact, etc.Diatomite is heat resistant whereas Talc carbonate is heat resistant, wear resistant.