ʻO ka honua diatomaceous kahi ʻano pōhaku sedimentary siliceous biogenic, ka mea nui i haku ʻia me nā koena diatom kahiko.ʻO SiO2 ka nui o kāna mea hoʻohui kemika, aia kahi liʻiliʻi o Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, CaO, MgO, K₂O, Na₂ʻO, P₂O₅a me ka mea olaola.ʻO ka hoʻohana nui o ka diatomite he mau mea kānana, hoʻopihapiha, adsorbents, catalytic carriers, nā mea hale pili kaiapuni a pēlā aku.