WHAT IS DIATOMACEOUS EARTH?
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a soft, siliceous sedimentary rock that is composed of the fossilized exoskeletons of tiny single-celled, micro-organisms called diatoms. When these organisms died, their skeletal remains settled to the bottom of large bodies of water and became fossilized. It is those fossilized exoskeletons of the diatoms that create DE which is primarily comprised of silicon dioxide (Si02), among other trace elements.
WHAT MAKES OUR DE DIFFERENT?
Our Red Lake Diatomaceous Earth comes from the pristine province of British Columbia, Canada from a freshwater deposit that contains the Melosira Granulata species of diatom. From the Miocene age, this DE deposit is between 12 to 13 million years old. The area just outside of Vale, Oregon is home to our White Lake Earth DE. This deposit contains the same species of diatom as our Red Lake Earth. The Melosira Granulata diatoms have an immense number of pores. As a result, this trait provides its strength to absorb. Several of our DE products are on the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) list for use in organic production.
DIATOMACEOUS EARTH Canada
White Lake Earth comes from a pure, freshwater diatomaceous earth deposit.
DIATOMACEOUS EARTH UNITED STATES
A unique, naturally occurring blend of diatomaceous earth and calcium bentonite.
DIATOMACEOUS EARTH (DE) USES
DE provides the contents for use in the manufacture of insect control products. As well, these insect control products rely on a physical mode of action rather than a chemical mode of action. The results, a natural insecticide product that is safe for humans and animals. Pet litters, industrial absorbents, and filtering medias also use DE due to its strength to absorb. Also, DE is a often turned to for anti-caking agents in animal feeds. It is no wonder that DE is now a superb choice to produce health products, toothpastes and makeup.
IMPORTANT TERMS
SILICA
DE is made up of silicon dioxide (SIO2), diatoms, clay and other trace minerals. Silicon (Si) and oxygen (O2) are two of the Earth’s most ample matter. Likewise, these two compounds are the raw matter that form silicon dioxide (SIO2). Silicon dioxide is often referred to as silica. Silica makes up 59% of the Earth’s crust. In contrast, Silica makes up 95% of most of the rocks on our planet. Did you know that the tissues of the human body contain silica? As a result, our bodies need silica to survive.
DIATOMS
Diatoms are an aquatic algae that number in the trillions. These single-celled bodies produce about 20% of the oxygen on the planet. Not to mention, diatoms also take in over 6.7 billion tons of silica yearly from the body of water in which they live. Hence, diatoms are one of the largest and most crucial groups in the ecosystem. Oceans and seas contain marine diatoms. On the other hand, lakes, rivers and streams contain freshwater diatoms. Yet, there is a further distinction between marine diatoms and freshwater diatoms. Even though marine diatoms tend to be larger they may contain slightly less silica.
DIATOMITE
Over millions of years, preserved diatoms form sediments nearly solely composed of diatom frustules (diatomites). The frustule is the hard, porous cell wall or outer layer of diatoms. The cell wall is composed nearly purely of silica. The mass reserve of these frustules make up the matter that makes DE distinct. By the same token, the amount of silica present depends on the age of the deposit.