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Ocean archaea more vulnerable to deep-sea viruses than bacteria

Deadly attacks boost microbes’ role in carbon, nutrient cycles

deep-sea environment

SPILLING THEIR GUTS  Deep-sea archaea, found in seafloor sediment, are more vulnerable to virus attacks than their bacteria neighbors, new research suggests. Those killing sprees release a substantial amount of carbon and other nutrients into local marine environments.

Bahamas Deep-Sea Coral Expedition Science Party/NOAA-OER

By Thomas Sumner

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