Diatomite Essay -- essays research papers

DIATOMITE   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Diatomite is a sedimentary rock, that is white and yellowish in color. It is composed of fossilized skeletons of one-celled algae-like plants called diatoms. It is accumulated in marine areas. The Honeycomb sillia structure is useful because of its high absorptive capacity and surface area. It is also very chemically stable. Its principal use is filtration.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This substance of diatomite is extracted from many countries around the world. Out of 30 world countries the largest suppliers are the United States, China, Denmark, and Japan. China supplies about 350 thousand metric tons, Denmark extracts 375 thousand metric tons, and Japan, 190 thousand metric tons. About 725 thousand metric tons of diatomite are extracted from the US Worldwide about 2,150 thousand metric tons are removed from the earth.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This product consists of approximately 90 percent silica, and the remainder consists of compounds such as aluminum and iron oxides. The material is extracted by a dredging barge cuts sediment with rotating knives, mixes it with water and pumps it along a suspended pipeline to the shore. Because diatomite is made from a skeletal structure of diatoms, it isn’t made of chemicals that need to be extracted. It is highly unreactive to other chemicals. It also has a low thermal conductivity rate and a high fusion point.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Most diatomite mines are open pit mines because the deposits are usually at or near the surface. Open pit mines are especially hard on the environment because they are very large holes in the ground. Diatomite is also mined when geologic uplifting brings these deposits above sea level. The diatomite is easily mined this way, however, being in marine areas, pollution in the water is a big concern. Through the use of many mining machines, the waters can be easily polluted. The method of dredging to cut away at the sediment does not seem like it would be as environmentally friendly as well. Aside from the mining having impact on the actual land, diatomite mining has impacts on birds in surrounding areas. Many birds show a tendency to avoid dredging areas. Besides factors of noise and pollution and general unpleasantness of machines, birds also rely on animals in shallow water for food where dredging has occurred.   Ã‚  &nbs... ...any different areas. I feel that mining of this product is worth the impact it leaves on the environment.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I was most likely taking diatomite for granted. I was not even aware that it was a product, let alone that it was useful in different ways. A lot of things I use daily would not be the same without the use of diatomite. I drink soda every day, and I would not get that drink if it were not filtered. I’ve never even wondered about how water in a swimming pool is filtered, yet if it were not, I’m positive swimming would not be as enjoyable in the summer. I like the fact that diatomite seems incredibly useful for very important things, such as toxic waste, antibiotics and water filtration. I also think it is exceptional because it goes to use for so many different products. Some things that are mined can only go to a few things, whereas diatomite can go from cleaning toxins, to paint fillers, to filtering wine, to insecticides. I don’t like diatomite for the fact that it is not being recycled, and that no recycling programs are being put into use right now. Overall I think that diatomite is a worthwhile product and beneficial to consumers every day.