A look into the virosphere of clouds: A world yet to be explored

TL;DR

This paper explores the presence and potential ecological impact of viruses in clouds, highlighting a largely unexplored area of atmospheric microbiology.

Contribution

The paper estimates the global cloud virome at 10^21 virus particles and discusses their ecological implications.

Findings

Clouds globally contain an estimated 10^21 virus particles.

Virus-bacteria interactions in clouds may significantly influence microbial ecology.

Despite harsh conditions, viruses persist in clouds and contribute to microbial dynamics.

Abstract

•Viruses are largely overlooked in outdoor aeromicrobiological studies.•Based on current knowledge in aeromicrobiology, a total of 1021 virus particles are estimated to occupy clouds globally.•Although very dilute, these may contribute to the atmospheric life cycle of microorganisms.•Virus-bacteria interactions in clouds would have many implications in ecology and the Earth’s microbiome.

Viruses are largely overlooked in outdoor aeromicrobiological studies.

Based on current knowledge in aeromicrobiology, a total of 1021 virus particles are estimated to occupy clouds globally.

Although very dilute, these may contribute to the atmospheric life cycle of microorganisms.

Virus-bacteria interactions in clouds would have many implications in ecology and the Earth’s microbiome.

Clouds are aqueous atmospheric systems hosting diverse and active microorganisms. Viruses may also persist despite harsh conditions, support active viral infections, and contribute to microbial dynamics during aerial transport. However, assessing viruses, and even more, virus-bacteria interactions in the atmospheric environment is highly challenging, and knowledge remains very limited. Here, based on current knowledge in cloud microbiology, we estimate the cloud virome at ∼1021 virus particles globally. One out of a million of cloud droplets is susceptible to host virus-bacteria interactions, which represents considerable volume at global scale, and we discuss potential implications for microbial ecology. We finally propose future research directions to explore further the cloud virosphere and its ecological roles.

Image, graphical abstract

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