Definition
Marl is an unconsolidated sedimentary rock consisting of clay and lime
Diatomite is a fine-grained sedimentary rock which is formed from consolidated diatomaceous earth
Discoverer
William Smith
Unknown
Etymology
From Old French marle, from Late Latin marglia
From diatom + -ite1
Class
Sedimentary Rocks
Sedimentary Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Texture
Earthy
Clastic or Non-Clastic
Color
Beige, Brown, Green, Grey, White
Grey, White, Yellow
Durability
Durable
Non-Durable
Appearance
Rough and Dull
Soft
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Floor Tiles
Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, Roof Tiles
Garden Decoration, Paving Stone
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
Curbing
Construction Industry
Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement, Raw material for the manufacture of mortar
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate, Landscaping, Making natural cement, Source of calcium
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Jewellery, Sculpture, Small Figurines
Artifacts
Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Soil Conditioner
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
Types
Clay Marl ,Blue Marl, Red Marl, High Bank Marl, Shell Layer Marl, Under Shell Layer Marl, Sand Marl, Green Marl, Grey Marl and Clayey Marl
Diatomite
Features
Generally rough to touch, Is one of the oldest rock, Splintery, Very fine grained rock
Clasts are smooth to touch, Is one of the oldest rock, Smooth to touch, Very fine grained rock
Archaeological Significance
Formation
Marl forms when very fine-grained clay particles are deposited in water which settles at the bottom of water bodies and are compacted by overlying sediment; the water squeezes out and hence forming Marl rock.
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.
Mineral Content
Calcite, Clay, Dolomite, Gypsum, Micas, Pyrite, Quartz
Calcite, Clay, Clay Minerals, Quartz, Sand
Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, NaCl, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, Silicon Dioxide
Ca, NaCl, CaO
Types of Metamorphism
-
-
Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Wind Erosion
Grain Size
Very fine-grained
Very fine-grained
Porosity
Highly Porous
Highly Porous
Specific Gravity
2.2-2.8
2.3-2.4
Transparency
Opaque
Opaque
Density
2.4-2.8 g/cm3
2.49-2.51 g/cm3
Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
Heat Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
India, Pakistan, Russia
Brunei, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
Africa
Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa
Cameroon, Chad, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Europe
Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Romania, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland
England, France, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
USA
Canada, USA
South America
Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
Colombia
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia
Adelaide, New Zealand, Queensland, Victoria, Yorke Peninsula
All about Marl and Diatomite Properties
Know all about Marl and Diatomite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Marl and Diatomite belong to Sedimentary Rocks.Texture of Marl is Earthy whereas that of Diatomite is Clastic or Non-Clastic. Marl appears Rough and Dull and Diatomite appears Soft. The luster of Marl and Diatomite is dull. Marl is available in beige, brown, green, grey, white colors whereas Diatomite is available in grey, white, yellow colors. The commercial uses of Marl are creating artwork, soil conditioner and that 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.