Scientists study Plankton Samples collected during Three-year Global Expedition

During a global expedition spanning over three years, researchers collected some samples of plankton. Now, a team of researchers has been working on analyzing those samples. According to the researchers, they discovered about more than 30,000 species of bacteria, 5,000 new virus and more than 140,000 creatures and plants. Most of the discovered samples were new to the researchers.

While talking to BBC News, Dr. Chris Bowler of the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), said, “We have the most complete description yet of planktonic organisms to date: what's there in terms of viruses, bacteria and protozoa - we finally have a catalogue of what is present globally”.

Planktonic organisms, which together structure about 90% of the mass of ocean’s marine life, include bacteria, viruses, plants and creatures that are single-celled. Agnes B, a French fashion designer, funded the Tara expedition.

The team of scientists, who collected samples of plankton, became part of the expedition between 2009 and 2013. According to reports, the team navigated about 30,000 kilometers across the oceans of the world.

During the expedition, the scientists gathered more than 30,000 samples. As per the scientists, they took the samples from the top layers of the ocean about one kilometer below the waves. The expedition by the researchers has cost approximately 10 million euros.

According to Bowler, the research helped the scientists to understand the ocean communities better. There are more than 10,000 described species of plankton. Out of about 35,000 microbes discovered, some were never seen before.

The scientists said they came to know that a number of organisms, mostly the bacteria, could be sensitive to temperature.