Scientist said they discovered deep-sea viruses to be an unexpectedly potent driver of the so-called carbon cycle that sustains oceanic life and helps dampen global warming.

Under the carbon cycle, microscopic algae at the sea surface suck up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Many of these microscopic creatures, called prokaryotes, become infected by naturally occurring marine viruses.

When they die, their carbon-rich remains gently sink to lower depths where they are then cannibalistically gobbled up by other bacteria.

These prokaryotes in turn become a meal for a larger life from and so on, up the food chain.

Researches long ago grasped that viruses on the sea surface play a Dr.-Jekyll-and-Mr.-Hyde role, killing biomass while at the same time sustaining it.

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