Nearly 12,000 viruses found on the ocean floor - 99% were unknown to science

A new study identified 11,742 viral groups on the floor of the Pacific Ocean, at depths exceeding 5 km. Over 99% of them are unknown to science. The study, published in Nature Communications, focuses on the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, a key target for deep-sea mining.

A new study has identified 11,742 viral groups on the floor of the Pacific Ocean, at depths of more than 5 kilometers, in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. Over 99% of these groups are unknown to science. The study, published in Nature Communications, was conducted by researchers from Chongqing University in China, who analyzed sediment samples from the seafloor. Most of the viruses attack bacteria and do not pose a threat to humans, but they play an important role in the deep-sea ecosystem. The area itself is a focus of plans for deep-sea mining due to concentrations of valuable metals such as nickel, cobalt, and manganese. The researchers emphasize that the study aims to create a baseline picture before extensive industrial activity begins.