diatomaceous earth (kieselguhr) Deposit composed of fossil diatoms (see BACILLARIOPHYCEAE), which is mined for many industrial uses: as a mild abrasive in metal polishes, as a filtering medium (e.g. in sugar refineries), for insulation of boilers and blast furnaces, etc., and under the name ‘kieselguhr’ as a vehicle for explosives. Vast deposits of diatomaceous earth (called ‘diatomite’) are mined at Lompoc, California.

diatomaceous earth(kieselguhr) A deposit composed of fossil diatoms (Bacillariophyceae), which is mined for many industrial uses: as a mild abrasive in metal polishes, as a filtering medium (e.g. in sugar refineries), for insulation of boilers and blast furnaces, etc., and under the name ‘kieselguhr’ as a vehicle for explosives. Vast deposits of diatomaceous earth (called ‘diatomite’) are mined at Lompoc, California.

diatomaceous earth (kieselguhr) A deposit composed of fossil diatoms, which is mined for many industrial uses: as a mild abrasive in metal polishes, as a filtering medium (e.g. in sugar refineries), for insulation of boilers and blast furnaces, etc. Vast deposits of diatomaceous earth are mined at Lompoc, California.