Fraction of microbial biomass in the ocean killed daily by viruses

Value 20 %
Organism Biosphere
Reference Suttle CA. Marine viruses-major players in the global ecosystem. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2007 Oct5(10):801-12. p. 801 left column, 1st paragraphPubMed ID17853907
Comments Microorganisms are a major force behind the nutrient and energy cycles in the world’s oceans and constitute more than 90% of the living biomass in the sea. It is estimated that viruses kill approximately 20% of this biomass per day. See BNID 106625
Entered by Uri M
ID 105604