The ice cores, taken from nearly four miles above sea level, reveal crucial information on viral adaptation. Researchers hope to understand how these ancient viruses adapted to past climate changes, aiming to predict how modern viruses might respond to ongoing environmental shifts. The study notably addresses a previously unexplored area of research: the connection between viruses and large-scale climate changes.
“Before this work, how viruses linked to large-scale changes in Earth’s climate had remained largely uninvestigated,” said study co-author ZhiPing Zhong, a research associate at the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center at The Ohio State University, in a statement to Newsweek. “Glacial ice is so precious, and we often don’t have the large amounts of material required for virus and microbe research.”
The ancient viruses found in the ice cores date back across nine different time horizons, covering three cold-warm cycles over the last 41,000 years. One viral community was specifically dated to around 11,500 years ago, a transitional period from the Last Glacial Stage to the warmer Holocene epoch, in which we currently reside. This suggests a potential link between climate changes and viral evolution.
“This at least indicates the potential connection between viruses and climate change,” Mr. Zhong stated.
Furthermore, approximately a quarter of the viruses identified in the ice core overlapped with species found elsewhere, such as the Middle East or the Arctic, pointing to possible long-distance viral transportation.”That means some of them were potentially transported from areas like the Middle East or even the Arctic,” said Mr. Zhong.Researchers believe this discovery could help predict how present-day viruses might react to future climate changes. Study co-author Lonnie Thompson, a professor in earth sciences at Ohio State, highlighted the significance of this new research tool.
“To me, this science is a new tool that can answer basic climate questions that we couldn’t have answered otherwise,” said Mr. Thompson.
Similar unearthed ancient viruses have been found in other regions, like Siberia, fueling concerns over potential infections in humans as permafrost and glaciers melt due to climate change. However, experts assure that these ancient viruses likely infected bacteria rather than animals or humans.
This discovery marks an important step in understanding the historical interactions between viruses and environmental changes. As climate change continues to influence global ecosystems, the ability to predict viral behavior in response to these changes could prove crucial in managing future public health risks.
Researchers aim to continue their work, leveraging these findings to generate broader insights into the behavior of both ancient and modern viruses. This study serves as a foundation for further research into the role of viruses in the broader context of climate science, opening up new avenues for understanding the intricate ties between microbial life and environmental dynamics.