VOA慢速英语--在加利福尼亚海岸附近水域发现的快速繁殖扩散的藻类

Fast-spreading Algae¹ Found in Waters Near California Coast

Scientists in California report the first appearance of a species of bright green algae, caulerpa prolifera, growing in the ocean near California. And the researchers say they hope to never see it again.

The growth of caulerpa prolifera was found close to the coast off the Southern California town of Newport Beach. Divers² recently began to remove the algae, as it could greatly harm the area's environment. Few fish or other animals eat caulerpa prolifera. So it spreads effectively. It can quickly take control of an ecosystem³, forcing out other plants as well as the animals that eat them.

So far, the growth covers about 90-square-meters. However, tiny pieces of the algae can easily break off and continue to grow elsewhere.

Robert Mooney is a biologist with Marine⁴ Taxonomic Services. He led a team of three divers at the site.

He told the Associated Press that the team has a chance to fully⁵ remove the plant but no time can be wasted.

"We don't have the luxury of waiting to see what happens," he said.

The species was discovered late last year. Federal, state and local officials were urged to act earlier this year to prevent the algae from spreading. It was important to act quickly, they said, because the movement of swimmers and boaters in the sea help spread the algae.

California faced a similar problem two years ago. A related algae was found off the coast of Huntington Beach and Carlsbad. It cost $7 million to remove. California then banned the sale of that algae and others.

Caulerpa prolifera is used in some aquariums⁷ and is not banned in California. When people clean aquariums, the resulting wastewater can include extremely small pieces of the algae. These pieces will travel along waterways into the Pacific Ocean and begin to reproduce.

The source of Newport Beach's algae invasion is not confirmed. But Keith Merkel, a biological consultant⁸ on the project, has a suspicion.

"It's more than likely the source is an aquarium⁶ release," he said.

So far, divers have not discovered the algae anywhere else in the area. But, Merkel said testing will continue and if more algae is found, another removal operation will begin.

"There's a good chance that it has spread, we just don't know where — which is the biggest fear that we have," Merkel said.

Words in This Story

aquarium – n. a glass or plastic container in which fish and other water animals and plants can live

luxury – n. something desirable but expensive or hard to get

species – n. a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants; a group of related animals or plants that is smaller than a genus

1 algae   

n.水藻，海藻

参考例句：

• Most algae live in water.多数藻类生长在水中。
• Algae grow and spread quickly in the lake.湖中水藻滋蔓。

2 divers   

adj.不同的；种种的

参考例句：

• He chose divers of them,who were asked to accompany him.他选择他们当中的几个人，要他们和他作伴。
• Two divers work together while a standby diver remains on the surface.两名潜水员协同工作，同时有一名候补潜水员留在水面上。

3 ecosystem   

n.生态系统

参考例句：

• This destroyed the ecosystem of the island.这样破坏了岛上的生态系统。
• We all have an interest in maintaining the integrity of the ecosystem.维持生态系统的完整是我们共同的利益。

4 marine   

adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵

参考例句：

• Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

5 fully   

adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地

参考例句：

• The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
• They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。

6 aquarium   

n.水族馆，养鱼池，玻璃缸

参考例句：

• The first time I saw seals was in an aquarium.我第一次看见海豹是在水族馆里。
• I'm going to the aquarium with my parents this Sunday.这个星期天，我要和父母一起到水族馆去。

7 aquariums   

n.养鱼缸，水族馆( aquarium的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Biotope aquariums represent the natural environments of ornamental fish. 生态鱼缸表现出观赏鱼的自然生活环境。 来自互联网
• There are aquariums in many cities in the world. 世界上好多城市有水族馆。 来自互联网

8 consultant   

n.顾问；会诊医师，专科医生

参考例句：

• He is a consultant on law affairs to the mayor.他是市长的一个法律顾问。
• Originally,Gar had agreed to come up as a consultant.原来，加尔只答应来充当我们的顾问。