What are diatoms used for ?

In Biology diatoms are used as a a tool / indicator to determine the quality of water e.g. in a lake or in a pond.

By looking at the fossil frustules in the layers of sediment, you can see which kind of diatoms lived when that layer was deposited. If you figure out the date corresponding to each layer of sediment, and you know what water conditions each diatom species prefers, you will know what the water quality was like through history. see here fore more information.

Commercial value:

• Diatomaceous earth is sometimes used in gardening as a pest control
• Insulating materials
• Abrasives
• Ceramics
• Filtering
• Mined fossilized diatoms are used abrasive cleaning agents and polishes