User Guide

A NEW SUN
APPENDIX 5
221
The prevalence of anoxic (oxygen-free) environments rich in organic material,
combined with the presence everywhere on Planet of nitrated compounds, has
led to an astonishing variety of underground organisms which live in the
absence of oxygen (though they can use oxygen if it is present) and “breathe”
nitrate. This ecosystem apparently has symbiotic relations with the plants and
with Planet’s animal life. Also note that the prevalence of nitrate in the envi-
ronment has serious repercussions.
Nitrous oxide is present in only small amounts as it combines with ozone in
the stratosphere to break down into N2 and O2 (which prevents the build-up
of an ozone layer).
When plant material is buried, nitro-hydrocarbons have all they need to
“burn,” so they do so slowly underground, leaving nothing behind until all the
reducing material (hydrocarbon) or all the oxidizing material (nitrate) has
gone. Nitrate nearly always runs out first, leaving a residue of carbon com-
pounds. Provided this does not come into contact with oxygen, it fossilizes to
produce ordinary fossil fuels. Since Planet has been hot and hypoxic for a long
time, it should be expected to have all the oil, shale and coal anyone could
want, depending on the efficiency of the ecosystem.
Regardless of any attempt to wipe out the underground nitrate respirers, all
efforts to return carbon to the biosphere would encourage Planet life to pro-
liferate. Conversely, the huge quantities of nitrate in the soil would be heaven
to human farmers.
However, water would have to be treated in order to remove the nitrates so
that it is safe to drink; otherwise humans would suffer from methhemoglo-
binemia, or “blue baby syndrome,” where the red blood cells are poisoned so
they can’t take up oxygen. The best way to treat this water is to pass ozone
through it to destroy the nitrate.