Diatomite Essay -- essays research papers

DIATOMITEDiatomite is a sedimentary rock, that is white and yellowish incolor. It is composed of fossilized skeletons of one-celled algae-likeplants called diatoms. It is accumulated in marine areas. TheHoneycomb sillia structure is useful because of its high absorptivecapacity and surface area. It is as well as very chemically stable. Itsprincipal use is filtration.This substance of diatomaceous earth is extracted from many countriesaround the world. Out of 30 world countries the commodiousst suppliers arethe United States, China, Denmark, and Japan. China supplies about350 cat valium metric tons, Denmark extracts 375 thousand metrictons, and Japan, 190 thousand metric tons. About 725 thousandmetric tons of diatomite are extracted from the US Worldwide about2,150 thousand metric tons are withdraw from the earth.This product consists of approximately 90 percent silica, and theremainder consists of compounds much(prenominal) as aluminum and iron oxides. The material is extracte d by a dredging barge cuts sediment withrotating knives, mixes it with piss and pumps it along a suspendedpipeline to the shore. Because diatomite is made from a skeletalstructure of diatoms, it isnt made of chemicals that need to beextracted. It is highly inactive to other chemicals. It also has alow thermal conductivity rate and a high fusion point.Most diatomite mines are open score mines because the depositsare usually at or near the surface. Open pit mines are especially hardon the environment because they are very large holes in the ground. Diatomite is also mined when geologic uplifting brings these depositsabove sea level. The diatomite is easily mined this way, however,being in marine areas, contamination in the water is a big concern. Through the use of many mining machines, the waters tolerate be easilypolluted. The method of dredging to cut forward at the sediment doesnot seem like it would be as environmentally friendly as well. Asidefrom the mining having impact on the unfeigned land, diatomite mininghas impacts on birds in surrounding areas. Many birds show atendency to avoid dredging areas. Besides incidentors of noise andpollution and general unpleasantness of machines, birds also rely onanimals in shallow water for food where dredging has occurred. &nbs... ...any different areas. I feel that mining of thisproduct is worth the impact it leaves on the environment.I was most likely taking diatomite for granted. I was not evenaware that it was a product, let alone that it was useful in differentways. A lot of things I use daily would not be the same without theuse of diatomite. I drink soda every day, and I would not begin thatdrink if it were not filtered. Ive never even wondered about howwater in a swimming pool is filtered, yet if it were not, Im ordainedswimming would not be as enjoyable in the summer. I like the factthat diatomite seems incredibly useful for very important things, suchas toxic waste, antibiotics and water filtrati on. I also think it isexceptional because it goes to use for so many different products. Some things that are mined can only go to a few things, whereasdiatomite can go from cleaning toxins, to paint fillers, to filteringwine, to insecticides. I dont like diatomite for the fact that it is notbeing recycled, and that no recycling programs are being put into useright now. Overall I think that diatomite is a worthy product andbeneficial to consumers every day.