Giant Viruses Discovered in the Arctic

The Arctic sea ice is declining at alarming rates, diminishing by 13% over the last decade. Giant viruses could potentially halt processes that are dangerous for our planet.

Giant viruses inhabit Arctic ice, but the Earth is not doomed, and a new epidemic is not threatening us. On the contrary, these giant infectious 'agents' could be beneficial, particularly in slowing the melting of ice sheets, thereby mitigating one of the effects of global warming.

This information comes from a study published in May by a group of scientists from Aarhus University in Denmark in the journal Microbiome. They discovered the presence of giant viruses in Greenland, suggesting that these viruses could play a significant role in slowing the proliferation of black snow algae, which contribute to ice melting.