An estimate for the number of phages on Earth can beobtained

An estimate for the number of phages on Earth can beobtained using data from Bergh et al. (1989). By taking watersamples from lakes and oceans and counting the variousphages, one arrives at counts of the order of 10 6 –10 7 phages/mL. Using reasonable assumptions about theamount of water on Earth, make an estimate of the numberof phages. (b) Work out the mass of all of the phage particles on theEarth using your result from (a).

Solution

Considering that there are 10⁶-10⁷ phages /ml and assuming that there are 333 million cubic miles of water on earth.

333 million cubic miles = 1.38800455 x 10²⁴ ml of water on earth

therefore, approximate number of phages on earth will be
1.38800455 x 10²⁴ * 10⁶
= 1.38800455 x 10³⁰ number of phages on earth

Note- Kindly specify any particular phage particle whose mass requires to be calculated since there are various types of phages. An approximation/assumption can only be made if one particular phage is given.