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Lightning strikes cause nitrogen to dissolve in water and form reactive nitrogen and oxygen species, which form natural fertilizers that can be absorbed through plant roots. Such processes during rainstorm events can be simulated by applying plasma to a solution. Plasma-activated water (PAW) has great potential as a source of various dissolved reactive chemical species. Different mixtures of species are produced using different solution compositions. Here, basil seeds were grown in PAW to prevent blooms of Chlorella vulgaris and ion chromatography and UV-vis spectroscopy were used to quantify reactive ions. NO2−, NO3−, and H2O2 were found to be key to the antialgal effect. Secondary reactive ions such as peroxynitrite (ONOO−, ONOOH) were also involved. The antialgal effect was strongly related to the pH around the algal cells. Acidification was predominantly caused by the generation of NO2− and H2O2 …