Most people know of diatomaceous earth because it's used to filter beer or wine, for swimming pools, or for its insecticide properties to control insects around homes or in gardens. Biologists know about diatoms, the single-celled plants that form diatomaceous earth, because they are truly the lungs of the earth, in that they produce about ¾ of the world’s new oxygen supply. Materials scientists know about diatom skeletons (called frustules), the tiny, intricate porous opal structures because they are known to be the strongest naturally-occurring substances.
On August 31, we celebrate National Diatomaceous Earth Day to recognize the diatom and the remarkable substance it creates -- diatomaceous earth.
Mining diatomaceous earth in Lovelock, NV
Diatomaceous earth, also known as DE, is a sedimentary rock found in large deposits worldwide and mined primarily in the United States, Mexico, Chile, Peru, France, Spain, Denmark, and China. While still being formed today, some of the deposits of diatomaceous earth were formed millions of years ago. Diatomaceous earth deposits are formed as diatoms die and fall to the bottom of bodies of water. Over time, the organic portions of the diatoms are weathered away, and the remaining opal frustules form diatomaceous earth. Some of the largest deposits in the U.S. were formed in ancient lakes in California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, and some large deposits were also formed in oceans and occur along the coasts of North and South America. The world's largest producing diatomaceous earth plant is EP Minerals' Lovelock, NV facility.
Discovered by Peter Kasten in Germany around 1836, DE is known for its absorbency, filtration properties, polishing properties and stabilizing qualities. Long before Kasten's discovery, though, the world was using diatomaceous earth. Ancient Greeks used it as an abrasive as well as a building material in light-weight bricks, and, even in pre-historic times, diatomite was used in the ice-age cave paintings in France. Learn more: Read about DE, the fossilized algae
Microscopic view of a single diatom
Today, DE is one of the most useful and durable substances known. DE sees nearly ubiquitous use in the filtration of liquids, including, beer, wine, water (for swimming), chemicals, food and pharmaceuticals; DE provides the flatting in almost all flat paints; DE prevents blocking in plastic film, and when oil is spilled, DE is often the first choice to absorb it. And there are hundreds of other applications for DE with many more yet to be discovered!
HISTORY
EP Minerals founded National Diatomaceous Earth Day to celebrate this fascinating naturally bio-engineered material, and the Registrar at National Day Calendar approved the day last year. Help us celebrate National Diatomaceous Earth Day with us this year on August 31!
