diatomite

di·at·o·mite

D0201500 (dī-ăt′ə-mīt′)n. A fine, powdered diatomaceous earth used in industry as a filler, a filtering agent, an absorbent, a clarifier, and an insulator. Also called kieselguhr.

diatomite

(daɪˈætəˌmaɪt) n (Geological Science) a soft very fine-grained whitish rock consisting of the siliceous remains of diatoms deposited in the ocean or in ponds or lakes. It is used as an absorbent, filtering medium, insulator, filler, etc. See also diatomaceous earth

Thesaurus

Noun

diatomite - a light soil consisting of siliceous diatom remains and often used as a filtering materialdiatomaceous earth, kieselguhrfilter - device that removes something from whatever passes through itearth, ground - the loose soft material that makes up a large part of the land surface; "they dug into the earth outside the church"

Translations

Diatomite

diatomite

[dī′ad·ə‚mīt] (geology) Dense, chert-like, consolidated diatomaceous earth.

Diatomite

(diatomaceous earth, infusorial earth, kieselguhr, mountain meal), a sedimentary rock consisting primarily of the shells of diatoms. It is usually friable or weakly cemented and light gray or yellowish in color. Small spheres (globules) of opal of nonorganogenic structure and detrital and argillaceous minerals may be found in diatomite in different quantities. Chemically, diatomite consists of 96 percent hydrated silica (opal). It is highly porous, has a high adsorption capacity, conducts heat and sound poorly, is not easily fused, and is acid resistant. Diatomite is formed from diatomaceous silt that has accumulated in seas and lakes. In a stratigraphic cross section it may be found beginning with the Cretaceous system and is common in Cenozoic beds. Owing to the high solubility of the diatom skeletons it changes easily into tripoli and opoka.

There are deposits of diatomite in the Far East, on the Eastern slope of the Urals, and in the central Volga Region. Diatomite is used as an adsorbent and filter in the textile, petrochemical, and food industries and in the production of antibiotics, paper, various plastics, and dyes. It is also used as a raw material in the making of water glass and glaze, as a heat-and sound-insulating material in construction, as an admixture in certain types of cement, as a polishing agent (in paste form) for metals and marble, and as a pesticide.

REFERENCES

Shvetsov, M. S. Petrografiia osadochnykh porod, 3rd ed. Moscow, 1958.
Prirodnye sorbenty. Moscow, 1967.

G. A. KALEDA

diatomite, diatomaceous earth, kieselguhr

A white or light gray, chalky, natural siliceous material; obtained by mining deposits of fossil remains of small marine life; used as an extender in paints, as an aggregate in lightweight concrete, as a waterproofing material in portland cement, as a filter for water, and as an abrasive.

diatomite

di·at·o·mite

diatomite

Diatomite

diatomite

Diatomite

REFERENCES

diatomite, diatomaceous earth, kieselguhr

diatomite

Synonyms for diatomite

noun a light soil consisting of siliceous diatom remains and often used as a filtering material

Synonyms

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