Clarion-Clipperton Zone study reveals 11,000 viruses, mostly unknown to science

A recent study conducted in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean has identified over 11,000 viruses, approximately 99 percent of which were previously unknown to science. Researchers from Chongqing University and China's Second Institute of Oceanography investigated the region's virome to establish a microbial ecosystem baseline before deep-sea mining activities begin.

The Clarion-Clipperton Zone contains the world's largest deposits of polymetallic nodules, which are rich in metals such as cobalt, nickel, lithium, and zinc used in electronics manufacturing. While the International Seabed Authority has granted 31 exploration contracts—17 of which are in this specific zone—the nodules also serve as a critical foundation for deep-sea ecosystems. The study, published in Nature Communications, suggests these viruses may play a significant role in the biogeochemical processes within the seafloor sediments.