Arctic Ice Giant Viruses May Slow Melting by Eating Algae

June 7, 2024

Giant viruses have been found on the surface of Arctic ice, according to a new, ground-breaking study led by Laura Perini from the Department of Environmental Science at Aarhus University. These viruses, which can’t be seen with the human eye, have been found for the first time on the ice, living with algae.

The Role of Viruses in Algal Control

This finding is important because the viruses can eat algae, which is a key factor in speeding up the melting of Arctic ice. When algae on ice sheets soak up the sunshine, temperatures rise and the ice melts faster. This makes the effects of global warming worse. The giant viruses might slow down the melting process by eating these algae, acting as a natural coolant.

Method of Discovery

Scientists discovered these viruses by looking at DNA and mRNA from samples taken from different parts of the Arctic, like dark ice, red snow, and cryoconite holes. Certain markers found in the mRNA showed that these viruses are alive and doing well, which suggests that they are still interacting with the algae that live in these icy places.

Unique Characteristics of Giant Viruses

Giant viruses are different from other types of viruses because their genes are very complicated. This lets them do difficult biological tasks like DNA repair and replication. Their new discovery and the fact that they live on Arctic ice show how the fields of virology and environmental science are growing.

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