Clarion-Clipperton Zone discovery reveals 11,700 virus types

Chinese scientists have discovered more than 11,700 types of viruses in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, a vast deep-sea plain in the Pacific Ocean located between Mexico and Hawaii. According to a study published in Nature Communications, over 99% of these viruses—approximately 11,662 types—have never been previously recorded.

The research focused on sediment samples collected at depths of up to 6,000 meters. This region is highly significant for its massive reserves of polymetallic nodules, which are estimated to contain 27 billion tons of material, including manganese, nickel, copper, and cobalt. While commercial mining has not yet begun, the International Seabed Authority has issued 17 exploration contracts in the area, five of which are held by Chinese organizations.

Lead author Hou Bowen, affiliated with Chongqing University and the Second Institute of Oceanography, stated that the findings provide essential data on the ecological role of viruses in mineral-rich areas. The study establishes a critical biological baseline before deep-sea mining operations potentially alter the ecosystem.