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What is Diatomite?



Definition

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

History

Origin
Germany

Discoverer
Unknown

Etymology
From diatom + -ite1

Class
Sedimentary Rocks

Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Soft Rock

Family

Group
-

Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock

Texture

Texture
Clastic or Non-Clastic

Color
Grey, White, Yellow

Maintenance
Less

Durability
Non-Durable

Water Resistant
No

Scratch Resistant
No

Stain Resistant
No

Wind Resistant
No

Acid Resistant
No

Appearance
Soft

Uses

Architecture

Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration

Exterior Uses
Garden Decoration, Paving Stone

Other Architectural Uses
Curbing

Industry

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

Medical Industry
-

Antiquity Uses
Artifacts

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

Types

Types
Diatomite

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

Archaeological Significance

Monuments
-

Famous Monuments
-

Sculpture
-

Famous Sculptures
-

Pictographs
-

Petroglyphs
-

Figurines
-

Fossils
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.

Composition

Mineral Content
Calcite, Clay, Clay Minerals, Quartz, Sand

Compound Content
Ca, NaCl, CaO

Transformation

Metamorphism
No

Types of Metamorphism
-

Weathering
Yes

Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering

Erosion
Yes

Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Wind Erosion

Properties

Physical Properties

Hardness
1

Grain Size
Very fine-grained

Fracture
-

Streak
White

Porosity
Highly Porous

Luster
Dull

Compressive Strength
-

Cleavage
-

Toughness
1

Specific Gravity
2.3-2.4

Transparency
Opaque

Density
2.49-2.51 g/cm3

Thermal Properties

Specific Heat Capacity
0.90 kJ/Kg K 12

Resistance
Heat Resistant

Reserves

Deposits in Eastern Continents

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

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

Europe
England, France, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom

Others
-

Deposits in Western Continents

North America
Canada, USA

South America
Colombia

Deposits in Oceania Continent

Australia
Adelaide, New Zealand, Queensland, Victoria, Yorke Peninsula

Summary >>
<< Reserves

Sedimentary Rocks

Learn more about Properties of Diatomite

What is Diatomite? In this section, we will learn more about properties of Diatomite i.e. physical and thermal properties. Physical properties of Diatomite include Color, Streak, Hardness, Structure, Cleavage, Fracture, Luster, Specific Gravity etc. The strength of Diatomite is -. Streak of Diatomite is white while its cleavage is . Luster of Diatomite is dull and its fracture is . Diatomite is opaque in nature. Know all about Diatomite, What is Diatomite, its composition, features, facts and reserves in next sections.

Know about Composition of Diatomite

What is Diatomite composed of? Get to know about composition of Diatomite here. Diatomite definition gives information about the Formation of Diatomite and its composition.The composition of Diatomite can be further divided into mineral and compound content. The mineral content of Diatomite rock includes Calcite, Clay, Clay Minerals, Quartz, Sand and The compound content of Diatomite rock includes Ca, NaCl, CaO. Almost all rocks undergo transformation process. Know all about Diatomite rock in next section.

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