Characterization of diatomites form Rio Seco (Piura, Peru)

The occurrence of diatomites on the area of Rio Seco (Piura, Peru) has led the authors to study their physical, chemical and mineralogical properties with the aim to determinate their principal uses and applications. Conventi onal methods were applied besides of optical and electronical microscopy, d ifraction of X rays and thermal differential and gravimetric analysis. It i s a medium quality material because of their silica and alumina contents, t hen the applications should be Limited to fabrication of puzzolanic and cer amic materials for construction.