深海发现暗氧 产氧无须光合作用 Dark Oxygen Found in Ocean Depths without Light
Dark Oxygen Found in Ocean Depths without Light
#环境·保育 #时事 #永续发展 SDGs
12/10 解析英语
作者 Analytical Editors
阅读时间 5分钟
听讲解 听朗读
本图文出处:
https://www.ivy.com.tw/newsLetter/an...080808560715650MP3:
深海发现暗氧 产氧无须光合作用 Dark Oxygen Found in Ocean Depths without Light
科学家在太平洋深处取得了开创性的发现：不需要生物体参与即可产生氧气。
目录 / More to Learn / 中文翻译(& 答案)
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Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in the depths of the Pacific Ocean: oxygen production without the involvement of living organisms. Four kilometers below the surface where sunlight cannot reach, researchers have found metallic lumps generating what they term “dark oxygen.” This form of oxygen is produced through a process independent of photosynthesis. Unlike the traditional photosynthesis process, where organisms use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to create energy and oxygen, the newly discovered phenomenon operates in complete darkness.
The accidental finding occurred during a study of metal-rich lumps in an abyssal plain between Hawaii and Mexico. These lumps, known as “batteries in a rock,” are crucial for technologies like smartphones and wind turbines. Recognizing their commercial value, mining companies have expressed interest in harvesting the lumps. In response, a team of researchers set out to assess the potential environmental impact of deep-sea mining.
Using a device to isolate a section of the seafloor, the researchers aimed to measure oxygen levels in the enclosed water. Normally, oxygen rates would decrease as marine organisms consume it, but the result was contrary to expectations. The unexpected outcome prompted the team to further investigate the phenomenon. Researchers found the lumps emitted an electric charge similar to that of *a AA battery. This charge is believed to trigger a process that splits seawater into hydrogen and oxygen, accounting for the increase.
Traditional perspectives propose that oxygen production began around three billion years ago through photosynthesis by ancient microorganisms known as cyanobacteria. This process gradually led to the development of complex life forms. However, this discovery reveals that oxygen can form through non-biological processes, opening the possibility of life originating in environments like the deep ocean.
* AA battery 读作 double A battery，因此不定冠词要用 a，而非 an。
1. According to the passage, which of the following is true about the metallic lumps?
(A) They have been collected for cosmetic production.
(B) They are capable of emitting light on their own.
(C) They pose a threat to the marine ecosystem.
(D) They give off certain electric charges.
2. What does the phrase “unexpected outcome” in the third paragraph refer to?
(A) Elevated oxygen rates.
(B) Reduced oxygen levels.
(C) Consistent oxygen rates.
(D) Unmeasurable oxygen levels.
3. Which of the following is NOT mentioned about traditional views on the production of oxygen on Earth?
(A) It was a biological process.
(B) It promoted the evolution of complex life.
(C) Sunlight was necessary for the production.
(D) The deep ocean was where oxygen was produced.
单字片语整理
Words in Use
●
groundbreaking [ˋgraʊnd͵brekɪŋ]
a. 开创性的
●
generate [ˋdʒɛnə͵ret]
vt. 产生（光、电、热）；造成，引起
●
accidental [͵æksəˋdɛnt!]
a. 意外的；突发的
●
harvest [ˋhɑrvɪst]
vt. & n. 收获
●
assess [əˋsɛs]
vt. 评估；对……估价
●
isolate [ˋaɪs!͵et]
.vt. 使隔离，使孤立
●
enclosed [ɪnˋklozd]
a. 封闭的
●
marine [məˋrin]
n. （美国）海军陆战队士兵
adj. 海洋的
●
prompt [prɑmpt]
.vt. 促使
a. 立刻的
n. （演员）提词
Extra Words
●
organism [ˋɔrgən͵ɪzəm]
n. 有机体
●
metallic [məˋtælɪk]
a. 金属的
●
lump [lʌmp]
n. 团，块；隆起，肿块
vt. 归并在一起
vi. 结块
●
abyssal [əˋbɪs!]
a. 海洋深处的
●
turbine [ˋtɝbɪn]
n. 涡轮机
●
perspective [pɚˋspɛktɪv]
n. 观点
a. 透视的
●
cyanobacteria [ˌsīənōbakˈtirēə]
n. 蓝绿菌
●
an abyssal plain 深海平原
Practical Phrases
●
be independent of... 脱离……而独 / 自立
Because he wanted to be independent of his parents, Danny moved out and lived on his own.
因为丹尼想要不依赖双亲生活，所以他从家里搬出来一个人住。
●
In response 作为应对，⋯⋯
The project fell behind schedule. In response, the team worked overtime to meet the deadline.
该专案比预期的进度落后。作为应对，该团队加班以赶上截止日期。
●
account for 说明；对...负有责任；占..(一定数量或比例)
India and China account for about half of global consumer demand for gold.
印度和中国占了全球消费者黄金需求的一半左右。
More to Learn
microorganism n. 微生物，微小有机体（= microbe）
• The water sample was found to contain harmful microorganisms.
水样本中被发现含有有害微生物。
字首 micro- 表「微，小」之意，以下介绍相关字：
a. microscope n. 显微镜
• The cells appeared much larger when viewed through the microscope.
透过显微镜观察时，那些细胞显得更大得多。
b. microwave n. 微波；微波炉
• My mother used the microwave to quickly reheat her leftovers.
我妈用微波炉快速将剩饭剩菜重新加热。
c. microeconomics n. 个体经济学
• Microeconomics examines the behavior of consumers and firms and how they interact in markets.
个体经济学研究消费者和企业的行为以及他们如何在市场中互动。
d. microbead n. 柔珠，微粒
microplastic n. & a. 塑胶微粒（的）
＊ 以上二字均常用复数。
• The ban on microbeads was a big step towards reducing microplastic pollution.
禁用柔珠是迈向减少塑胶微粒污染的一大步。
中文翻译(& 答案)
科学家在太平洋深处取得了开创性的发现：不需要生物体参与即可产生氧气。研究人员在阳光无法到达的海下四公里处发现了金属块，产生了他们所谓的「暗氧」。这种形式的氧气是透过一种不依赖光合作用的过程所产生的。与传统的光合作用过程不同 ── 在光合作用中，生物体利用阳光、二氧化碳和水来产生能量和氧气 ── 这个新发现的现象是在完全黑暗的情况下进行的。
这是在研究夏威夷和墨西哥之间的深海平原中富含金属的块体时偶然发现的。这些被称为「岩石中的电池」的块状物对智慧型手机和风力涡轮机等科技至关重要。矿业公司发觉它们的商业价值，而表示有兴趣要开采这些块状物。作为应对，一组研究人员开始评估深海采矿对环境的潜在影响。
研究人员使用一种装置将海床的一部分隔离开来，他们的目的是要测量这片封起来的水域中的氧气含量。一般而言，氧气含量会随着海洋生物的消耗而降低，但结果却与预期相反。这意想不到的结果促使该团队进一步调查这一现象。研究人员发现这些块状物发出的电荷与 AA 电池的很类似。据信，这种电荷会触发将海水分解成氢和氧的过程，这解释了氧气量增加的原因。
传统观点认为氧气的产生约始于三十亿年前，被称为蓝绿菌的古老微生物透过进行光合作用来制造氧气。这个过程逐步促成了复杂生命形式的发展。然而，这项发现揭示了氧气可以透过非生物过程来形成，开启了生命源于像是深海等环境的可能性。
1. 根据本文，下列关于金属块的叙述哪一项是正确的？
(A) 它们被收集用来生产化妆品。
(B) 它们能够自行发光。
(C) 它们对海洋生态系构成威胁。
(D) 它们释放出某种电荷。
