Giant viruses discovered living in Greenland's dark ice and red snow

Arctic researchers have detected signs of giant viruses living on the Greenland ice sheet that could help reduce some of the impacts of climate change. 

The giant viruses, which can be up to around 1,500 times larger than regular viruses, might be attacking microscopic algae that turn Greenland's ice a darker color and cause it to melt faster.

For the first time, in a new study published May 17 in the journal Microbiome, scientists identified signs that giant viruses are living on ice and snow that contain lots of colored algae, suggesting a relationship between the two. The team hopes that finding and understanding these viruses could unlock ways to naturally control algae growth and, therefore, reduce melting. 

"We don't know a lot about the viruses, but I think they could be useful as a way of alleviating ice melting caused by algal blooms,” study lead author Laura Perini, a postdoctoral researcher at Aarhus University in Denmark, said in a statement. 

"How specific they are and how efficient it would be, we do not know yet. But by exploring them further, we hope to answer some of those questions," she added. 

Related: Greenland is losing so much ice it's getting taller 

Algae lies dormant on Greenland's ice and blooms in spring, darkening parts of the usually white landscape. The darker coloring reflects less sunlight than white snow and ice, which accelerates melting, according to the statement.