January 2, 2026
Bacteria resisting viral infection can still sink carbon to ocean floor
Tara Oceans Consortium researchers launch a rosette sampler to collect seawater. Tara Oceans global studies led to a finding that viruses best predict carbon flux to the deep sea. The Ohio State study used a model system to evaluate mechanisms underlying those patterns and predictions.Photo: Maéva Bardy, Tara Ocean Foundation
Study explores ecological effects of phage resistance in marine setting
Marine bacteria are key to determining whether carbon is recycled near the ocean surface or transported to deeper waters, but many operate in constant threat of being infected by viruses called phages, and mutate to fend off those infections.