Viruses Found in Greenland Can Help Alleviate Ice Melting Caused by Algal Blooms, Report Suggests

The latest report revealed that giant viruses found in the Greenland ice sheet could help reduce the ice melting in the region, noting that these could control the growth of snow algae.

Greenland ice sheet is no stranger to climate change and global warming effects. Recent reports highlight that the region has suffered from ice-melting, which could lead to a rise in the worldwide sea level.

Using satellite images and data, researchers can better understand the decline in ice. In a recent report published on June 4, researchers discovered giant viruses in the region.

Giant viruses and the Greenland ice sheet

The research findings were published in Microbiome, which investigated the giant viruses and their connections to ice and snow habitats. The findings will help reduce ice melting in the Greenland ice sheet.

According to a report, the viruses were discovered in samples of dark ice, red snow, and melting snow, known as cryoconite, in the Greenland ice sheet. These giant viruses are considered larger than bacteria, measuring at least 2.5 micrometers.

Amazingly, the latest discovery explains that it is the first time giant viruses were unearthed on the ice's surface, considering the area is mostly dominated by microalgae.

The researchers highlight that the viruses likely fed on snow algae to survive. These giant viruses are suggested to play a significant role in alleviating ice melting caused by algal blooms. However, the report acknowledged that more studies are required to determine the virus's efficiency.

When the samples were analyzed, the report noted that giant virus marker genes were discovered. This new information can offer new insights into mitigating the decline in the ice sheet in the region amidst the growing concerns of climate change and global warming.

What are giant viruses?

In 1981, giant viruses were first uncovered in the ocean, specializing in infecting green algae. While they are also found in soil on land and humans, it is rare to see them on the surface of snow or ice.

In addition, giant viruses have a larger genome, which contains around 2,500,000 letters.

Antarctic sea ice decline due to climate change

A recent Nature World News (NWN) report found that climate change has continued to threaten Antarctic sea ice. Additionally, increasing temperatures have exacerbated the shrinking ice in the region.

The rapid decline in sea ice extent can have devastating impacts on marine life and result in the rise of sea levels. As a result, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions can slow climate change and avoid the further decline in ice extent.

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