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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 7, 2025

Method for Recording Broadband High Resolution Emission Spectra of Laboratory Lightning Arcs

Method for Recording Broadband High Resolution Emission Spectra of Laboratory Lightning Arcs

Published on: August 27, 2019

Extreme oxidant amounts produced by lightning in storm clouds.

W H Brune¹, P J McFarland², E Bruning³

¹Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA. whb2@psu.edu.

Science (New York, N.Y.)

|April 30, 2021

Summary

Lightning directly produces hydroxyl (OH) and hydroperoxyl (HO2) radicals, crucial atmospheric oxidants. This discovery reveals lightning

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Area of Science:

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Thunderstorm Electrification and Dynamics

Background:

Lightning's role in atmospheric chemistry is primarily linked to nitric oxide (NO) production, influencing ozone (O3) and hydroxyl radical (OH) formation.
The direct contribution of lightning to the production of key oxidants like OH and hydroperoxyl radical (HO2) has been poorly quantified.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the direct production of hydroxyl (OH) and hydroperoxyl (HO2) radicals by lightning.
To quantify the magnitude of lightning-generated OH and HO2 during deep convection events.

Main Methods:

Analysis of airborne measurements from a 2012 deep convection and chemistry study.
Correlation of oxidant concentrations (OH, HO2) with observed lightning activity, including visible flashes and subvisible discharges.

Main Results:

Direct generation of exceptionally high concentrations of OH and HO2 radicals by lightning was observed.
Elevated OH and HO2 levels were directly linked to both visible lightning flashes and subvisible electrical discharges in anvil regions.
Observed OH and HO2 enhancements were orders of magnitude greater than previously recorded atmospheric concentrations.

Conclusions:

Lightning is a significant direct source of atmospheric oxidants OH and HO2.
Globally, lightning-generated OH may account for a substantial 2-16% of total atmospheric OH oxidation, impacting the atmosphere's self-cleaning capacity.
This finding necessitates a re-evaluation of the role of lightning in global atmospheric chemistry and oxidant budgets.