= Diatomaceous earth
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= Diatomite
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<Diatomaceous earth> is a porous material formed largely from the silica-rich remains of <diatoms>. It is a particulate <mixture> rather than a single chemical compound with one exact molecular formula.
Its pore structure and high surface area make it useful as a filtration aid and absorbent material. The distinction between particle geometry and chemical composition matters: two silica-rich powders can have different filtration behavior because their pore sizes and packing differ. Natural and processed grades can also differ in mineral content and crystalline-silica fraction.
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