A groundbreaking study has revealed nearly 1,700 ancient virus species hidden within the melting glacial ice of the Himalayas. Published in Nature Geoscience, the research highlights that about 75% of these viruses were previously unknown to science. The discovery was made through analyzing viral DNA fragments extracted from ice cores collected from the Guliya Glacier on the Tibetan Plateau, situated nearly four miles above sea level.
This significant find provides valuable insights into how ancient viruses have adapted and evolved in response to major climatic changes over millennia. The study, led by researchers from The Ohio State University, aims to understand the connection between viral evolution and climate shifts.
“Before this work, the link between viruses and large-scale climate changes had not been thoroughly investigated,” said ZhiPing Zhong, a co-author of the study and research associate at the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center. Zhong emphasized the importance of glacial ice for such research due to the limited material available for studying viruses and microbes.
The study reveals that the viruses discovered span nine different time periods, covering three cold-warm cycles over the past 41,000 years. Notably, one viral community dates back approximately 11,500 years, reflecting the transition from the Last Glacial Stage to the warmer Holocene epoch.
“This indicates a potential connection between viruses and climate change,” Zhong noted. Additionally, the research found that about 25% of the viruses matched species found in other regions, suggesting possible transport from areas such as the Middle East or the Arctic.
The researchers hope this discovery will enhance predictions about how modern viruses might react to ongoing climate changes. “This science provides a new tool for addressing fundamental climate questions that were previously unanswerable,” said Lonnie Thompson, a study co-author and professor of earth sciences at Ohio State University.
The study follows similar findings of ancient viruses in other permafrost regions, such as Siberia, raising concerns about potential risks as glaciers and permafrost continue to melt due to climate change. However, experts believe these ancient viruses more likely infected bacteria rather than humans or animals.