Diatomaceous earth

Diatomaceous earth, also known as diatomite, kieselguhr, kieselgur, and Celite, is a naturally occurring, soft, chalk-like, sedimentary rock mineral that is easily crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder. This powder has an abrasive feeling similar to pumice powder and is very light-weight due to its high porosity. It is made primarily of silica and consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. It is used as a filtration aid, as a mild abrasive, as a mechanical insecticide, as an absorbent for liquids, as cat litter, and as a component of dynamite.

Related Topics:
Rock - Mineral - Abrasive - Pumice - Porosity - Silica - Fossil - Diatom - Algae - Filtration - Insecticide - Absorbent - Cat litter - Dynamite

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