Nearly 200,000 unknown viruses are discovered hidden in the depths of the world's oceans

According to one study, nearly 200,000 different viruses are hiding in the depths of the oceans around the world.

This incredible amount of viral life has been found in five ocean regions, known as distinct ecological zones, located throughout the Arctic and Antarctic oceans, as well as in some warmer ocean depths.

The scientists said that most of the viruses had never been seen before and that this study had revealed 12 times more viruses than those known so far.

The results of 195,728 viruses could also reveal how pathogens affect ocean ecosystems.

Most viruses have proven to be harmless to humans but could also infect marine life such as whales and fish.

Scroll for the video

195,728 viruses were discovered in five distinct ecological zones covering all the depths of the Arctic and Antarctic, and three distinct depths of temperate and tropical regions. This map shows where in the world they found the viruses

The study also suggests that this could help researchers discover how to tackle climate change in bioengineering the ocean

Five distinct ecological zones around the world have been identified, including all the depths of the Arctic and Antarctic, as well as three distinct depths of temperate and tropical regions.

The discoveries were made during a pole-to-pole sea expedition and lasted more than ten years on a ship called Tara.

It has been used to collect ocean samples at depths up to 4,000 meters.

The samples were filtered and sent to laboratories that are part of an effort known as the Tara Oceans Consortium.

They identified new strains by analyzing other microbes and living creatures found in the ocean and comparing their specimens.

Marine organisms produce half of the oxygen that humans breathe, and the ocean removes half of the carbon dioxide that man emits into the atmosphere.

New research helps scientists more accurately calculate the balance between oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

More life in the oceans means more CO2 can be converted into organic carbon and biomass – rather than CO2 acidifying the oceans, the study said.

Thanks to this research, scientists could manipulate viruses to remove even more carbon dioxide from the air, thus combating climate change. The discoveries were made during a pole-to-pole sea expedition and lasted more than ten years on a ship called Tara (stock).

Thanks to this research, scientists could manipulate viruses to remove even more carbon dioxide from the air, thus combating climate change.

Microbiologist Matthew Sullivan, of Ohio State University, participated in the research and explained: "Having a new map showing the location of these viruses can help us understand this ocean carbon" pump "and, more broadly, the biogeochemistry that impacts the planet.

"Models of earlier ocean ecosystems had generally ignored microbes and rarely included viruses, but we now know that they are an essential element to include."

The research was published in the journal Cell.