Diatomite, a soft, porous, fine-grained, lightweight, siliceous sedimentary rock, is produced by the accumulation and compaction of diatom (Class Bacillariophyceae) remains. The cell wall of living diatoms is impregnated with silica (amorphous hydrous, or opaline (SiO 2. n H 2 O)), which preserves ornate and highly porous structures …