What is the Difference Between Diatomaceous Earth and Fullers Earth?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Diatomaceous earth and fullers earth are both naturally occurring substances found below the Earth's surface and have various applications. However, they differ in their composition, structure, and uses. Here are the main differences between the two:
- Composition: Diatomaceous earth is made up of microscopic silica skeletons of diatoms, which are fossilized remains of aquatic plants like algae. On the other hand, fullers earth is a type of clay, usually calcium montmorillonite clay, and may also include kaolinite and palygorskite.
- Structure: Diatomaceous earth has a delicate structure, which results in a very fine filter. Fullers earth, being a clay, has excellent absorbing properties.
- Uses:
- Diatomaceous earth is used as a filler, filter, mild abrasive, and pesticide. It is also used in thermal insulation and DNA purification.
- Fullers earth is used to absorb oils, clarify oils, and absorb grease. It is also used in the textile industry, pharmaceutical industry, and as cat litter.
In summary, diatomaceous earth is a silica-rich substance made from fossilized diatoms, while fullers earth is a clay-based substance. They have different properties and applications, with diatomaceous earth being more suitable for filtration and pesticide use, and fullers earth being more suitable for absorption and clarification purposes.
Comparative Table: Diatomaceous Earth vs Fullers Earth
Here is a table comparing the differences between diatomaceous earth and fuller's earth:
Property | Diatomaceous Earth | Fuller's Earth |
---|---|---|
Composition | Made of the fossilized remains of microscopic aquatic plants called diatoms, which are composed of silica (SiO2) | A type of clay, usually montmorillonite, and may also include kaolinite and palygorskite. Its composition consists of hydrous aluminum silicates with varying impurities of potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, or iron |
Formation | Diatoms accumulate at the bottoms of rivers, streams, lakes, and oceans, forming diatomite, which is then mined to produce diatomaceous earth | Fuller's earth forms from altered volcanic ash or weathered volcanic rocks, and is mined directly from the ground |
Benefits | Used as a filtration medium, insecticide, dietary supplement, and for various other applications | Used for cleaning cloth, raw wool, and other fabrics, in cosmetics, medical settings, and as the primary ingredient in cat litter |
While both diatomaceous earth and fuller's earth are composed primarily of silica, they differ in their formation and specific uses.
- Diatomaceous Earth vs Bentonite Clay
- Diatoms vs Dinoflagellates
- Earthworms vs Compost Worms
- Kaolin vs Bentonite Clay
- Bentonite vs Montmorillonite Clay
- Diamond Graphite vs Fullerene
- Vermicompost vs Compost
- Fullerene vs Carbon Nanotubes
- Soil vs Clay
- Chitin vs Chitosan
- Perlite vs Zeolite
- Kaolinite vs Illite
- Kaolinite vs Montmorillonite
- Humic Acid vs Fulvic Acid
- Earth vs Moon
- Clay vs Ceramic
- Calcite vs Dolomite
- Fertilizer vs Compost
- Chemical vs Detrital Sedimentary Rocks