Engineering a Fertilizer to Remedy Lightning-Affected Soil by Using a Tesla Coil to Replicate a Lightning Strike

Daniel Streeter

When doing research for another experiment online, a post by a blogger by the username of Aman was found. He reported that he had observed enormous circles free of vegetation left by lightning strikes in cornfields, which completely annihilated the plants they struck. When the fields were replanted, though, a plant-free circle would remain for several years [1], suggesting that the soil had been altered as well. In addition, due to the fact that the plants on the edge of the circle grew oddly [1], it is possible, if not probable, that one of the three major nutrients or possibly pH, was affected by the strike.

Research revealed a complete lack of research done in this area. Although some scientists had observed that there appears to be a drop in levels of Phosphorus in soil or sand that has been turned into a fulgurite (a glass tube formed by lightning [2])[3], nobody had tested the chemistry of soil that had previously fertile (fulgurites are formed from high-silica soils, such as sandier mixtures [5]).

    Further research revealed how lightning can increase levels of soluble Nitrogen in soils by production of nitrates. The air in our level of Earth’s atmosphere is composed, very roughly, 80% of N2 and 20% of O2. When lightning ionizes the air, a chemical reaction occurs in which these are converted to NO and NO2. These, in turn, are carried down to the soil by rain and within the soil react with other chemicals to form Nitrates (chemicals characterized by the polyatomic ion NO3 [4])[4]. It was surmised from this that perhaps lightning strikes that are cloud-to-ground form such large amounts of NO2 above the affected area of soil so as to poison it until the nitrogen has been diluted by irrigation and time.

To replicate lightning, a device called a Tesla coil was used. A Tesla coil is an electrical transformer- a device that uses two coils of wire to wirelessly multiply the input voltage and then emits it through a hollow metal shape in the form of an electric arc similar to a bolt of lightning. Like lightning, it is at such a high voltage so as to travel at near outside of a conductor, the ionized gas is at a frequency that gives it a violet tinge, and, despite popular belief, is capable of carbonizing organic material. After two years of experimentation, it seemed that there were no consistent chemical changes in the composition of the soil other than the pH, which, during the second year of study, was consistently greater after extended exposure to the electric arc. No explanation for this was known.

More recent research revealed that lightning produces Ozone (O3) and, as previously mentioned, nitrogen dioxide, and both are harmful [5]. Some emittance of gas from samples of soil exposed to the arc had been noted, and these gases were looked at as possible causes. However, both gases are oxidants [6],[7], and thus would not cause soil to be more alkaline. The most likely cause currently expected is the extreme heat produced by lightning strikes.

The greatest obstacle in obtaining research for this project is the monumental lack of information given concerning the effects of lightning on the soil rather than the crops planted therein. The most instructive source uncovered stated little more on the subject than the fact that a lightning strike would not be beneficial to the fertility of soil, stating such things as “I have not seen or heard any investigations about electrically processing soil to make the soil more productive in growing plants. Neither have I heard of lightning strikes improving the agricultural productivity of soil. If that were true then vegetation around radio and TV antenna towers would be extraordinary in size and amount [5].” and “There is no data that lightning directly enriches the soil it has struck. While there are many forms of lightning, the ones that do strike the ground will usually superheat the area. Beneficial effects, if any, would come from heating, and since heating soil does not necessarily enrich it, direct lightning strikes should have no growth benefits. In fact, sandy soil may even become fused (forming silica glass called fulgurites) and may planting less viable [6].”

References:

[1] Aman. “The Effects of Electricity on Plants.” scienceforums.net. Science Forums. 24 Oct. 2003. Web. 15 Oct. 2011.

[2] Hile, K. The Handy Weather Answer Book: Your Smart Reference. 2nd ed. Canton, MI: Visible Ink Press, 2009. Print.

[3] “Lightning-induced Reduction of Phosphorus in Soil.” www.nature.com. Web. Feb. 2012.

[4] “Nitrate in Soils and Plants.” Missouri.edu. University of Missouri Extension. Oct. 1993. Web. 28 Nov. 2011

[5] “Lightning and Soil.” http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/env99/env99439.htm. Web. 4 Oct. 2013

[6] “Ozone.” Wikipedia.org. Web. 4 Oct. 2013

[7] “Nitrogen dioxide.” Wikipedia.org. Web. 4 Oct. 2013