Ocean plankton held hostage by pirate viruses

Viral infections could affect capture of a greenhouse gas

Synechococcus cyanobacteria

DON’T GET SICK  Some of the most important unsung microbes, Synechococcus cyanobacteria, are among the most prolific photosynthesizers on Earth — until they catch a virus.

PNNL/Flickr (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

When plankton on the high seas catch a cold, the whole ocean may sneeze.