Diatoms are a photosynthetic eukaryotic phytoplankton that virtually found in all waterways, fresh waters and oceans, and also in most soils on earth. Diatoms play a very important role in the global carbon cycle. Diatoms are single-celled algae that has a characteristics cell wall that is made up of transparent opaline silicia that are elegantly sculpted.
When diatoms die, their shell or skeleton that is composed of silica, do not decay, but settle at the bottom of oceans as sediments to form what is often referred to as diatomaceous earth. It is this diatomaceous earth deposit that is then converted to diatomite powder, which is used as pesticides against insects such as ants, cockroaches, bedbugs and some other pests.
