Dziko la Diatomaceous ndi mtundu wa miyala ya siliceous sedimentary ya biogenic, yomwe imapangidwa makamaka ndi zotsalira zakale za diatom. Kapangidwe kake ka mankhwala makamaka ndi SiO2, komwe kali ndi Al yochepa.₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, CaO, MgO, K₂O, Na₂O, P₂O₅ndi zinthu zachilengedwe. Ntchito zazikulu za diatomite ndi zinthu zothandizira zosefera, zodzaza, zokoka, zonyamula zinthu zoyambitsa, zipangizo zomangira zosawononga chilengedwe ndi zina zotero.