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How Much Does Diatomite Cost?
The cost of diatomite depends on its quality, how it will be used, and the preparation effort that has been invested by the supplier. The cost of diatomite that is straight from the mine without processing for use in concrete starts at about $7 per ton. Diatomite from high-grade deposits that has been crushed, sized,…
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Freshwater vs. Saltwater Diatomite
Diatomite forms in marine water and freshwater environments. These origins are an important consideration when a diatomite source is being considered for use. Any use that will be associated with human, animal, or plant contact should come from freshwater deposits. Diatomite from saltwater sources can contain salts that can produce objectionable or toxic effects.
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Diatomite Producers
In 2017, a total of 29 countries produced commercial amounts of diatomite. The United States was the leader, producing an estimated 700,000 metric tons. Czechia, Denmark and China each produced over 400,000 metric tons. Argentina, Peru and Japan produced 100,000 metric tons or more. Other countries that produced at least 50,000 metric tons include Mexico, France, Russia, South Korea, Turkey, and Spain.
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Uses of Diatomite and Diatomaceous Earth
The four main uses of diatomite in the United States during 2017 were filtration (50%), light aggregate (30%), fillers (15%), and absorbents (5%). The properties of diatomite that make it useful in these applications are listed below. Small particle sizeHigh porosityHigh surface areaRelatively inert siliceous compositionLow specific gravity Filter Media The small particle size of…
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Diatom Ooze
When diatoms die, their siliceous frustules sink. In some areas the frustules are not incorporated into the bottom sediment because they dissolve as they sink or dissolve while on the sediment surface. If the sediment is composed of over 30% diatom frustules by weight, it would be called a “diatom ooze” or a “siliceous ooze.”…
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What are Diatoms?
Diatoms are members of a large, diverse group of algae that drift freely in the waters of oceans and lakes. A few types of diatoms live on the bottom of these water bodies and in soils. Most diatoms are microscopic, but a few species are up to two millimeters in length. As a group, diatoms…
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What is Diatomite?
Diatomite is a friable light-colored sedimentary rock that is mainly composed of the siliceous skeletal remains of diatoms. It is a very porous rock with a fine particle size and a low specific gravity. These properties make it useful as a filter media, an absorbent, and as a lightweight filler for rubber, paint, and plastics. When diatomite is…
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Uses of Phyllite
Phyllite does not have any important industrial uses. It is not strong enough to serve well as a crushed stone. However, slabs of phyllite are occasionally trimmed and used as landscape, paving or sidewalk stone. Phyllite can provide valuable information about the geologic conditions that a geographic area or a rock mass was subjected to in…
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Composition of Phyllite
Phyllite is composed mainly of tiny grains of mica minerals such as muscovite, or sericite. Fine-grained quartz and feldspar are often abundant in phyllite. These mineral grains are usually smaller than what can be easily seen with the unaided eye. They form through the low-grade metamorphic transformation of clay minerals. Crystals of other metamorphic minerals such as andalusite, biotite, cordierite, garnet, and staurolite might also form…
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How Does Phyllite Form?
Phyllite was originally a fine-grained sedimentary rock such as shale or mudstone, composed mainly of clay minerals in a semi-random orientation. The rock was then buried and subjected to enough directed pressure to move the clay mineral grains towards parallel alignment, and enough heat and chemical activity to begin transforming the clay mineral grains into chlorite or a mica…