Diatomite is a typical siliceous biosedimentary rock. Its chemical composition is mainly SiO2, and also contains impurities such as Al2O3, Fe2O3 and alkali metals. Non marine diatomite is often accompanied by biological remains such as spores such as freshwater sponge spicules and endospores of golden algae, while marine diatomite is often accompanied by siliceous biological remains such as silicon flagellates and radiolarians. In addition, various clay minerals and clastic minerals are often involved. SiO2 in diatomite is different from SiO2 in minerals and rocks. It is usually called diatom silica, which is biogenic.  

Geological research and development

The study of diatomite abroad began in the 19th century. Diatomite was discovered in the southwest of Missouri in 1870, and began to be mined and utilized in 1872, and the American diatomite company was established.

The research of diatomite in China began in the 1930s. In 1935, Professor Yang Zhongjian found diatomite deposit and carried out geological research while doing geological work in Linqu County, Shandong Province. Since the 1950s, especially in recent years, great progress has been made in the geological research and exploration of diatomite and its related fields.

The theoretical research work of Fossil Diatoms related to diatomite in China began in 1962. Systematic research has been carried out on the assemblage of Fossil Diatoms, sedimentary environment, lithofacies and paleogeography, ecology and structural structure. It has played an important role in geological exploration of diatomite resources, deposit evaluation and other geological work, and has achieved great results. Since the 1950s, the geological research of diatomite in China has been constantly carried out in the departments of geology, mining, chemical industry, metallurgy and so on. A large number of diatomite resources have been found in 14 provinces (autonomous regions) across the country, and there are 34 mining areas with proved reserves.

The development and application of diatomite resources in China began in the 1940s. Since Mr. Yang Zhongjian discovered diatomite in Linqu, Shandong Province in 1935, it has been at the primary level of producing and processing raw soil until the mid-1950s. It was not until the late 1950s that China's sulfuric acid industry urgently needed to solve the problem of shortage of catalyst support sources that the chemical industry department began the domestic test work of diatomite, and successfully used the diatomite in Linqu County, Shandong Province to produce the first generation of vanadium catalyst support. In the early 1960s, Tongji University successfully developed diatomite filter aids using diatomite from Shengxian County, Zhejiang Province. In 1966, the then Ningbo Jiangbei mineral powder plant (now known as Ningbo dye chemical plant) and Tongji University cooperated to put into mass production, creating a new situation of localization of filter aids in China. In the early 1980s, the demand for diatomite and its products began to rise year by year, which greatly promoted the development of diatomite industry in China. The geological research, development and utilization of diatomite and its product serialization have also made great progress.