Viruses in Ocean Water, Arctic Ice Could Fight Climate Change Through Human Intervention: New Research Says

Climate change is an ongoing societal issue since it threatens current flora and fauna as of the 21^st century. In recent decades, scientists have warned that some ways to mitigate the impacts of the climatic phenomenon is to reduce or stop harmful anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, as well as fossil fuel burning. This natural environmental, and ecological problem has long been thought to be only addressed by human means.

Now, recent research has found a groundbreaking alternative to combat climate change: viruses found in ocean water and Arctic ice. Through human intervention, scientists are considering the potential capabilities of hundreds of thousands of DNA and RNA virus species in the world's oceans. They theorize that these pathogens can help trap carbon dioxide in seawater and reduce or prevent the release of methane gas.

Both carbon and methane are harmful greenhouse gases that accelerate the natural process of the greenhouse effect. This phenomenon warms the planet due to the absorption of solar radiation caused by the trapped gases in the atmosphere. While viruses are often known for causing diseases, the research sheds light on the potential role of ocean microbiome against anthropogenic climate change.

Underwater Carbon Metabolism

(Photo : Photo by Matt Palmer on Unsplash)

Researchers from Ohio State University in the United States led by microbiology professor Matthew Sullivan are conducting an ongoing study regarding the potential role of viruses in ocean water and Arctic ice. Sullivan's team is identifying multiple virus species that are capable of underwater carbon metabolism. This biological process allows viruses to consume carbon dioxide and, in turn, reduce its amount in the Earth's atmosphere.

So far, the Ohio university academics have already identified 128 viruses that possess the desired metabolic trait, which is not possessed by all microorganisms. By engineering these viruses, the researchers hope that the pathogens not only can trap carbon in oceans but also prevent methane from escaping from thawing Arctic ice. With the help of artificial intelligence, scientists can engineer the ocean microbiome.

Also Read: Mosquitoes and Viruses: How Environmental DNA Can Help Monitor the Spread of Invasive Species

Engineering Ocean Microbiome

Sullivan presented their research about engineering ocean microbiome to fight climate change on February 17 during an annual meeting in Denver, Colorado, organized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The ongoing research was presented under the context that the roles and drivers of microbes in complex ecosystems were poorly understood to be effectively managed.

Now, as the scientific community recently mapped these microorganisms, the goal of the research is to engineer these viruses and microbial communities to potentially stabilize Earth's climate by absorbing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The groundbreaking discovery of hidden virus capabilities could also help with current efforts to curb climate change, such as countries that are members of the United Nations-led 2015 Paris Agreement.

Currently, marine viruses are the most plentiful biological organisms found on Earth's oceans. Their population can reach as many as 10 million in a single teaspoon of seawater, according to the Australian Government's Australian Institute of Marine Science.