Diatomite: Description, Characteristics, and Other FAQs
HTTPSDiatomite is a sedimentary rock that consists chiefly of the siliceous remains of diatoms. Diatoms are single celled algae that have a hard shell of carbonaceous material called a frustule . The frustules are the main component of diatomite, and they vary in size and shape. Diatomite has a porosity of up to 90 percent, making it an extremely