A collaboration between researchers from the University of South Florida in the United States and the University of Florence in Italy may have discovered a new group of minerals produced by lightning strikes. The discovery was published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment.
Lightning strikes are not an uncommon occurrence, and electrical storms have been well documented in many areas.
When the rays hit the ground, they can form a fulgurite by the melting and fusion of mineral compounds, creating a kind of signature in the ground.
While not uncommon, one of these minerals found in New Port Richey, Florida, caught the attention of researchers.
By examining the composition of the piece, scientists discovered an element that was never found on Earth in a solid and natural form.
The vitrified and colored material showed a special metal phosphite compound often found in meteorites. The New Port Richey “fossilized beam” is an unprecedented find.
Phosphite is a compound produced by the reduction of phosphate. The researchers explain that although phosphate is not uncommon on Earth, reduction to phosphite only occurs under certain conditions, at high energy levels.
The root that produces this fulgurite struck by lightning added certain conditions of the physical-chemical components with the high energy produced by the electric discharge.
Due to the rarity and uniqueness of the find, the researchers report that it is not yet possible to consider practical uses for the material.
However, studies and research on the production conditions of the material and whether it can be classified as a new mineral will continue.
Source: Tec Mundo
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