A interesting sort of phosphorus material that we haven't seen previously
on Earth was created by a lightning strike that hit a tree on Florida's west
coast. This material may represent a whole new mineral group that bridges
the gap between space minerals and minerals found on Earth.
The substance, which closely resembles calcium phosphite (CaHPO3), was
discovered within a fulgurite, a "metal glob" created by the interaction
between the lightning bolt's extremely high temperatures and the sand around
its target.
Lightning frequently strikes particular kinds of sand, silica, and rock,
causing the formation of these "fossilized lightning" fulgurites. Seeing
anything so special concealed inside one of these buildings is significantly
less typical.
According
to geoscientist Matthew Pasek of the University of South Florida, "We have
never seen this substance exist naturally on Earth. Minerals comparable to
it may be found in meteorites and space, but we've never seen this precise
material elsewhere."
The researchers found that the iron that had accumulated around the tree's
roots as well as the carbon in the tree that was struck by lightning both
burned. The
phosphorus cycle, or the flow of this chemical element through Earth, may be significantly
impacted by this type of calcium phosphite, which may potentially develop in
other high-energy settings.
The fact that attempts to recreate this CaHPO3 in the lab were unsuccessful
demonstrates the fact that the unusual mineral can only be created under
extremely certain circumstances. To see it again, we might have to wait for
another lightning strike.
The results may have implications for the earliest times in the history of
our planet, in addition to having an impact on the phosphorus cycle now. The
cycle of phosphites is not entirely understood by scientists, but it is
likely that these kinds of lightning strikes and chemical reactions occurred
frequently.
According
to previous studies, lightning-induced phosphate reduction was a common
occurrence on the early Earth, according to geoscientist Tian Feng of the
University of South Florida.
Unfortunately, it is difficult to repair these solid phosphite minerals due
to a problem with the Earth's ambient phosphite reserve.
This "problem" implies that we are unable to adequately explain some
phosphite-driven biological and chemical processes that we are aware of, but
which should depend on yet-to-be-found phosphite reserves.
Scientists may learn more about how phosphorus is reduced - or changed into
other states via chemical processes via the gaining of electrons - at
various temperature levels thanks to the discovery of this novel phosphorus
substance.
Also, the research sheds more light on the characteristics of lightning
itself, including its strength and shape. That is by no means the first time
that this extraordinary phenomenon has given rise to materials of particular
scientific interest.
It's crucial to comprehend the energy that lightning possesses since only
then can we determine the typical amount of harm and risk that a lightning
strike poses.
"Florida is the world's lightning capital, and lightning safety is crucial
because if lightning is powerful enough to burn rock, it can undoubtedly
also melt humans"
The research has been published in
Communications Earth & Environment.
