I-Diatomaceous earth uhlobo lwedwala le-siliceous sedimentary eliphilayo, eliqukethe kakhulu izinsalela ze-diatom zasendulo. Ukwakheka kwamakhemikhali alo ikakhulukazi yi-SiO2, equkethe inani elincane le-Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, CaO, MgO, K₂O, Na₂O, P₂O₅kanye nezinto eziphilayo. Ukusetshenziswa okuyinhloko kwe-diatomite yizinsiza zokuhlunga, izigcwalisi, izithasiselo, izithwali ze-catalytic, izinto zokwakha ezinobungani nemvelo njalo njalo.