Diatomites are silica-rich sedimentary deposits formed by the accumulation and preservation of abundant diatom frustules. Their formation reflects high diatom productivity, adequate preservation, and limited dilution by terrigenous or other sedimentary material [1]. Such paleodepositional successions record productivity, sediment supply, water-column conditions, and post-depositional processes. Within the Mediterranean, they are widespread in Cenozoic basins and associated with major palaeoceanographic and climatic changes. In the Cretan region, previous studies have highlighted the geological and organic-geochemical significance of diatomitic successions in western Crete pointing out their importance as source rocks for hydrocarbons generation [2], while the Gavdos record provides important stratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental constraints on Messinian (pre-evaporite) diatomite deposition [3].
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