Dewoitine D520 and battery acid

[Ian]

While searching the Dewoitine site I came across this patch of bare earth. On closer inspection I could see fragments of bakelite and lead battery elements. It's quite amazing that 80 years on, the battery acid is still preventing the vegetation from growing ...

 

[elbmc1969]

While searching the Dewoitine site I came across this patch of bare earth. On closer inspection I could see fragments of bakelite and lead battery elements. It's quite amazing that 80 years on, the battery acid is still preventing the vegetation from growing ...

The lead's probably not helping ...

 

[GrauGeist]

The battery electrolyte (sulphuric acid) will break down quickly with the introduction of water (rain, existing ground water, soil Ph, etc.) so the lack of plant life can be attributed to the presence of lead (as mentioned) or the oil based "tar" used to seal the cells and top of the battery.

 

[Ian]

Thanks for that, interesting.

 

[elbmc1969]

This is very weird ... a California Science Fair experiment grew radishes in uncontaminated soil and in soil contaminated with leaking batteries. The radishes were more likely to germinate in the contaminated soil and grew faster.

On the other hand, there's a lot of information about acid destroying nutrients in the soil. No idea how long that might last. It's also possible that the acid would react with some nutrients or with some particular mineral and produce a nasty substance.

Oh, and don't lick the ground there.

 

[elbmc1969]

While searching the Dewoitine site I came across this patch of bare earth. On closer inspection I could see fragments of bakelite and lead battery elements. It's quite amazing that 80 years on, the battery acid is still preventing the vegetation from growing ...

Where is this site?

 

[GrauGeist]

This is very weird ... a California Science Fair experiment grew radishes in uncontaminated soil and in soil contaminated with leaking batteries. The radishes were more likely to germinate in the contaminated soil and grew faster.

On the other hand, there's a lot of information about acid destroying nutrients in the soil. No idea how long that might last. It's also possible that the acid would react with some nutrients or with some particular mineral and produce a nasty substance.

Oh, and don't lick the ground there.

Sulfuric Acid will lower soil Ph, but it's not long term.

As mentioned earlier, over time, the soil's Ph will change as the electrolyte dilutes through the process of rain and presence of ground water.

It won't sterilize the soil like petrolium-based material will.

 

[Ian]

Where is this site?

There is a lot of scattered live ammunition on this site, and not much else, so for safety reasons I can't reveal its location

 

[Ian]

Sulfuric Acid will lower soil Ph, but it's not long term.

As mentioned earlier, over time, the soil's Ph will change as the electrolyte dilutes through the process of rain and presence of ground water.

It won't sterilize the soil like petrolium-based material will.

Thanks, then it can only be the lead ?

 

[AL90]

Thanks, then it can only be the lead ?

It is a common sight on Scottish hills. When an aicraft crashes and burns, the aluminium oxidises and kills the soil add in some lead and oil and nothing will grow unless ploughed in. Even in a ploughed field there will be an area where the crop grows poorly.
Attached is a crash site where a Whitley burned in 1941 and a Hudson 6 months later.

 

[GrauGeist]

Thanks, then it can only be the lead ?

After all this time, I would say no.

What you have, is a combination of materials that's reacting with the soil. The presence of Lead, while toxic, will only stunt the growth of vegetation.

But add to that, the presence of the petroleum based sealant used to seal the battery's cells, which will retard plant growth, and you'll have a bare patch of land for quite a long time.

So it's the combination of Lead and "tar" creating that bare patch of soil.

 

[elbmc1969]

There is a lot of scattered live ammunition on this site, and not much else, so for safety reasons I can't reveal its location

Can you at least what region it is? Is this a factory?

 

[Ian]

After all this time, I would say no.

What you have, is a combination of materials that's reacting with the soil. The presence of Lead, while toxic, will only stunt the growth of vegetation.

But add to that, the presence of the petroleum based sealant used to seal the battery's cells, which will retard plant growth, and you'll have a bare patch of land for quite a long time.

So it's the combination of Lead and "tar" creating that bare patch of soil.

OK, got it, thanks.

 

[Ian]

Can you at least what region it is? Is this a factory?

It's a crash site. You can contact me privately to discuss if you like

 

[elbmc1969]

It's a crash site. You can contact me privately to discuss if you like

Got it--crash sites aren't my thing, I was hoping that you were in the area of one of the Dewoitine plants.