I-Diatomaceous earth luhlobo lwelitye le-siliceous sedimentary eliphilayo, eliqulunqwe ikakhulu zintsalela ze-diatom zakudala. Ulwakhiwo lwalo lweekhemikhali ikakhulu yi-SiO2, equlethe isixa esincinci se-Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, CaO, MgO, K₂Kwi₂O, P₂O₅kunye nezinto eziphilayo. Eyona ndlela isetyenziswa kakhulu yi-diatomite zizixhobo zokucoca, izihluzi, izithambisi, izithwali ze-catalytic, izixhobo zokwakha ezinobuhlobo nokusingqongileyo njalo njalo.