Diatomite

Diatomite is a sedimentary rock composed of the fossilized skeletal remains of single-celled aquatic algae known as 'diatoms'. This unique form of silica has an elaborate honeycomb structure peppered with thousands of tiny holes ranging in diameter from a few microns to submicrons. No other source of silica, whether mined or artificially produced, offers such a structure. Some diatomite deposits are saltwater, but most are from freshwater sources. When ground, this abundance of shapes results in an extremely low density powder known as 'diatomaceous earth' (DE) which has excellent absorption properties, making it extremely valuable for filtration, agriculture, paints, plastics, cosmetics and pharmaceutical applications.