Microscopic studies of diatomite from Belaya gorka outcrop (Sverdlovsk region)

The paper presents the results of microscopic studies of diatomite from a large natural outcrop - «Belaya Gorka», which due to its colossal dimensions is considered as a promising object of the mineral base of opal-cristobalite rocks in the Trans-Ural region. The diatomite from the Belaya Gorka has a clearly expressed biomorphic structure and well-preserved siliceous fossils. There are a huge number of undamaged and unchanged shells and porous shell space which do not contain clay minerals and neocrystallization of silica, and it allows classifying the studied diatomite as a high-quality raw material.