Nitrocycle

The nitrocycle genus group has replaced its ancestors the nitritus, denitritus, nixus, nitratus and other nitrogen cycle microbes on Sagan 4. This group is truly global in that they are found in every biome, be it on land, the the water, under ground or in the air. They are at the base of all ecosystems in that they complete the nitrogen cycle.

The nitrogen cycle starts out with specific nitrocycle microbes converting atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonium (NH4+). Once converted the ammonium loving microbes convert the ammonium (NH4+) into nitrites (NO2-). Then those nitrite loving microbes convert the nitrites (NO2-) into nitrates (NO3-). And lastly the nitrate loving microbes convert nitrates (NO3-) back into atmospheric nitrogen (N2).

This cycle is important since the flora of Sagan 4 need nitrogen to grow. Some flora of Sagan 4 have even become symbiotic with the nitrocycle genus such as the many "pioneer flora" who helped spread it across the globe. The nitrocycle species are extremely small and are one of the smallest types of microbes on Sagan 4 at only around 1 micrometer across. They also are very simple and reproduce via binary fission.