Sea creatures confused by harbour lights 海洋生物被港口人工照明搞的暈頭轉向

媒體英語會帶大家一起學習 BBC 撰稿人在報道世界大事時常用到的單詞和短語。

一項發表在皇家學會報告《生物學報》期刊的研究稱海港的人工照明誘使海洋生物靠近并從而損害停靠的船舶。以下是 Rebecca Morelle 的報道。

With harbours operating around the clock, night time lighting is an essential feature for the shipping industry. But this study suggests it could have costly consequences.

Scientists at the University of Exeter in the UK say that artificial illumination is confusing some small clinging sea creatures. Some of these, such as keel worms, can cause damage when they attach to ships' hulls - and the bright lights seem to be drawing them in.

An influx of these animals can slow down boats and they are expensive to remove.

The light pollution is also having an effect on shade-loving sea creatures such as sponges, causing them to seek a home in darker waters.

The researchers are concerned that this is disrupting the delicate balance of these marine communities.