Microplastics(微塑料) are tiny bits or threads(线状) of plastic, often too small to be seen. In recent years, microplastics have been found almost everywhere, from the North Pole to Antarctica(南极洲), from the top of the Earth’s tallest mountain to the deepest point in the sea.
In a recent study led by a group called Ocean Wise, researchers made four trips across the Arctic Ocean. They took 71 samples(样本) from between 10 feet and 26 feet (3-8 meters) below the ocean’s surface. They took 26 more samples, some from more than 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) below the surface.
They found microplastics in all but one of the samples taken, with an average of about 40 microplastic particles(颗粒) in every cubic(立方的) meter. In the study, the scientists used a tool based on infrared light—a kind of light that humans are unable to see. This tool allowed them to figure out not just which bits were plastic, but exactly what kind of plastic they were.
Over 92% of the microplastics found were small threads, called microfibers(超细纤维). About 73% of these fibers were made of a plastic known as polyester (聚酯). The researchers looked into the size and color of the fibers and found they matched polyester used in clothing.
The study found far more microfibers near the Atlantic side of the Arctic Ocean than near the Pacific side. The fibers on the Atlantic side were also newer. The team believes this suggests that the fibers come from Europe and North America. Peter Ross, who led the research, said.“With these polyester fibers, we’ve created a cloud throughout the worlds oceans.”
Most samples were taken from an ocean layer(表层) where lots of sea life finds food. The scientists believe this means that many kinds of sea life, from the smallest to the largest, are likely to be affected by the pollution.
So how do these microfibers get into the sea? They break off when clothes are washed and are emptied into sewers(下水道) as washing machines drain(排水). One recent study suggested that laundry (洗衣) from the US and Canada carries around 3, 500,000 kilograms of plastic microfibers into the sea every year.
One way to avoid sending so much plastic into the sea is for clothing makers to reduce man-made materials, especially those that easily break down into microfibers. Washing clothes less often will also help. There are also special filters (过滤器) for washing machines which help prevent microfibers from escaping. Currently, people have to buy these filters and add them to their washing machines. If every washing machine came with such a filter built-in, it could make a big difference.
32. What do we know about the recent study?
A.A total of 96 samples contained((包含) microplastics |
B.The samples were collected from different oceans. |
C.Half of the collected microplastics are microfibers |
D.Almost all of the microfibers came from North America |
33. Why did the researchers study the size and color of the microfibers?
A.To find a way to solve the problem of microplastics |
B.To see what harm they did to the ocean |
C.To design new types of tools |
D.To know their sources(来源) |
34. What is a
solution(解决方案) to the problem mentioned in the text?
A.Washing clothes by hand |
B.Making large washing machines |
C.Using natural materials to make clothes |
D.Cleaning clothes with certain chemicals(化学品) in water |
35. What might be the best title for the text ?
A.How does pollution affect life in the sea? |
B.Microplastics are increasing in our lives |
C.How to protect the oceans and sea animals |
D.The Arctic Ocean is polluted with microplastic fibers |