Diatoms and Diatomaceous Earth: Beer Filtration for What Ales You

      Diatomite is a generally light-colored sedimentary rock that is  composed mostly of the siliceous skeletons of diatoms. It is an extremely porous rock with a fine particle size and a low specific gravity. These properties make it useful as a filter media, especially for beer and wine. It is also used as an absorbent, and as a lightweight filler for paint and plastics. When diatomite is crushed into a very fine powder, it is called diatomaceous earth.

      Diatoms are members of a large, diverse group of algae that drift in the waters of both oceans and lakes. A few types of diatoms live on the bottom of these water bodies and in soils. Most diatoms are microscopic, although a few species are up to two (2) mm in length. As a group, diatoms are unique because they are single-celled organisms that produce an external cell wall composed of silica, called a frustule. These frustules are very thin and have a delicate structure.

      Most diatoms are photosynthetic and live in water less than thirty (30) feet deep, where sunlight can penetrate. Diatoms are prolific and are responsible for producing nearly half of the organic mass in the world’s oceans. Their abundance and tiny size places them at the base of the marine food chain. We have discussed the strength and Fibonacci ordering of diatoms before here at PEOTS.

     After diatoms die ("die, atoms, die!"-- sorry, I couldn't resist) their siliceous frustules sink. In some areas, the frustules are not incorporated into the bottom sediment because they dissolve as they sink or dissolve while on the sediment surface. If the sediment is composed of over 30% diatom frustules by weight, it is called diatomaceous ooze or siliceous ooze.

      Of course, all this ooze discussion leads to a talk of diatomaceous ooze filtering your booze. Freshwater ooze or earth must be used unless you like your booze salty (yuck for me!).    Diatomite from saltwater sources can contain salts that can produce objectionable or toxic effects. Although some beer crafters are, indeed, using salt in the brewing process. Enjoy the beer, skip the pretzels? Have a little diatomaceous ooze with your booze? Woe is mead?

 

     The four main uses of diatomite in the United States during 2019 were filtration (50%), light aggregate (30%), fillers (15%), and absorbents (5%).

      Diatomaceous earth is used as a lightweight, inert filler in some manufactured products. It is added to paint as a whitening agent and extender. Diatomite is added to plastics as a lightweight filler. 

     If dry diatomaceous earth is placed on a liquid spill, it can absorb and hold an amount of liquid equivalent to its own weight. This absorption facilitates containment, cleanup, and removal. Capillary action of liquids into diatomaceous earth is enhanced by its small particle size, high surface area, and its high porosity.

       These same properties make diatomaceous earth able to absorb skin oils when used in cosmetics and facial masks. Diatomaceous earth is an absorbent ingredient of some kitty litters. It is also used as a soil treatment to absorb and hold water.

     Diatomaceous earth is used as a mild abrasive in some toothpastes, facial scrubs, and metal polishes. Its silica particles are small, friable, have a high surface area, and are angular in shape. These are properties that help it perform well as a mild abrasive.

     Diatomaceous earth is used as a growing medium in hydroponic gardens. It is inert, holds water, and has a porosity that allows the soil to breathe. To help grain and other seeds from sticking together and remain dry, they are dusted with diatomaceous earth.

     The cost of diatomite depends on its quality, how it will be used, and the preparation effort that has been invested by the supplier. The cost of diatomite straight from the mine without processing for use in concrete starts at about $7/ton. Diatomite from high-grade deposits that has been crushed, sized, and sieved for use in cosmetics, art supplies, & DNA extraction markets can cost more than $400/ton.

     The extraordinary intricacy of diatoms in Scanning Electron Micrographs shown throughout this post is astounding. Do you have a favorite?

Hoping you are all well in this weirdest of times,

Steph

P.S. Begone, M a r c h, oh longest of months this year.

Nautilus, Phi, and Carbon Ion Radiotherapy for Mass Tumours in Colorado

     Who isn't fascinated by Fibonacci numbers and the golden ratio of phi (1.6180339887) in the spiral of the chambered nautilus?

     The nautilus' growth ratios of squares of 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21 and so on in the successive phi ratios are echoed in cabbage:

coneflowers:

   and chamomile buds:

   
      
      These famous spirals were on my mind while driving to my annual physical appointment yesterday.  I listened to this Colorado Public Radio piece on a proposal to bring carbon ion radiotherapy to CO.

Carbon Ion Radiotherapy: Equipment the Size of a Large Building

      I shared the salient parts of the research with my doctor. He completely pooh-poohed the idea. [So annoying.]  I was intrigued as impressive survival results were reported in Germany and Japan in patients with tumour masses, especially for those with pancreatic cancer. (The carbon ion radiotherapy does not work in leukemias.)

        This March 2014 article discusses the excellent results as well as the high costs ($120 million for the equipment or gantry) plus $40 million for the accompanying facility:

March 2014 carbon ion radiotherapy results

     Radiation therapy is the medical use of ionizing radiation to treat cancer. In conventional radiation therapy, beams of X-rays (high energy photons) are produced by accelerated electrons and delivered to the patient to destroy tumour cells. Using crossing beams from many angles, radiation oncologists irradiate the tumour while trying to spare the surrounding normal tissues. Inevitably some radiation is deposited in healthy tissues.

     When the irradiating beams are made of charged particles (protons and other ions, such as carbon), radiation therapy is called hadron-therapy. The strength of hadron-therapy lies in the unique physical and radiobiological properties of these particles; they can penetrate the tissues with little diffusion depositing the maximum energy just before stopping. This allows a precise definition of the specific region to be irradiated. The peaked shape of the hadron energy deposition is called the Bragg peak, the "symbol" of hadron-therapy. With the use of hadrons the tumour can be irradiated with less damage to healthy tissues.

     Less damage to healthy tissues is particularly important in pediatric patients as those healthy cells are still developing.

        It is of personal interest to me because my dad survived over four years with pancreatic cancer before his death a decade ago. He had a wonderful positive attitude, drank the special goo my mom made for him daily, and worked out with weights often. I imagine he would have been happy to give carbon ion radiotherapy a go.

      Here's my dad (on the right) in a German beer garden in the early 50's:

  
    He sure looks hoppy ;-)

     Here's to you, Dad, and your open attitude to exploring new things! (Dad and me):

      I am quite curious about your thoughts on carbon ion radiotherapy and pancreatic cancer; nautilus, flowers, and cabbage; and, of course, the great hops we grow here in Colorado.

Hoppily,

Steph

(Word Woman)

       Another gardener and I did not marmalade, but plum jammed with stevia and sugar.

Roosters, chickens, ducks and eggs including green eggs (and no ham) and a double yolk egg in front:

       The roosters' plumage was especially wild and fun. . .Sorry about the low light. We had to wait until dark for them to come home to roost from their free range day. 

And, lastly, the Semiotics of Maizie: