翻译 Oct.15 · 2022

Microplastics are everywhere, even in the Arctic snow

塑料微粒无处不在，即使是北极的雪里。

Microplastics are some of the Earth's tiniest and most insidious enemies. These tiny bits of plastic are found in countless consumer products including cosmetics, tires, cigarettes and toothpaste, and when they collect in bodies of water and other natural areas, they can pose serious environmental hazards and health risks.

塑料微粒，是地球最微小的和最隐秘的敌人。这些微小的塑料在数不清的消费者产品中被发现，包括化妆品、轮胎、香烟和牙膏，当他们聚集在水体和自然区域时，会造成严重的环境危害和健康风险。

Microplastic分析：组合词，micro指的是微小的，plastic塑料

insidious：阴险的、狡猾的、隐秘的

countless：数不清的、无数的

cosmetic：化妆品

tire：轮胎

cigarette：香烟

toothpaste：牙膏

collect：这里是**“汇集、聚集”**的意思

bodies of water：水体，指的是山川湖泊河流江河海洋地下水等等的总称

pose：造成

hazard：危害、危险

In fact, a new study reveals that microplastics have even polluted Alpine snow and Arctic ice. How did the microplastics get there? The study, published this week in the journal Science Advances, posits that the tiny particles become airborne and, when swept up into the Earth's atmosphere, can be transported virtually around the globe.

事实上，新的研究揭示了微型塑料甚至已经污染了高山上的雪和北极的冰。微型塑料是怎么样到达那里的？一个发表在这周发科学进展杂志上的一项研究，假设了这一些微小的例子会在空气中传播，当被卷入到地球的大气层时，几乎可以在世界范围内运输。

Alpine：高山的

Arctic：北极

publish：发表、出版

journal：杂志

posit：假设

airborne：空气传播的、升空的、空运的

swept up：席卷而来、卷入（这里是被卷入）

virtually：几乎、事实上

"The large concentrations of MPs and microfibers in snow highlight the importance of the atmosphere as a source of airborne MPs and microfibers, " the study reads. "Through this pathway, MPs likely find their way into soil and aquatic environments and therefore also into food chains."

研究显示“在雪地中大量聚集的微塑料和超级纤维，突出了大气层作为微塑料和超级纤维空气传播来源的重要性。通过这个途径，微塑料可能会进入土壤和水生环境，从而进入到食物链。”

MPs：微塑料

source of airborne：空气传播源头

likely find their way into：可能会进入（这个意思我也没搞懂

aquatic：a.水生的；水中的

therefore：因而，从而

In other words, if microplastics are found in pristine Arctic ice, they're probably being breathed in, lived in and eaten by animals in other ecosystems.

换句话说，如果微塑料在北极原始的冰中被发现，那么它就很有可能被别的生态系统里的动物吸入和吃掉。

In other words：换句话说

pristine：崭新的、未开发的、处于原始状态的

If microplastics are being swirled around the atmosphere, the study says, we're breathing them in, as well. And that could have serious health consequences.

研究说到，如果微塑料在大气中旋转（循环？，我们也会吸入它，这会导致很严重的健康后果。

swirl：旋转、打旋

as well：也…

consequence：结果

"The high MP concentrations detected in snow samples from continental Europe to the Arctic indicate significant air pollution and stress the urgent need for research on human and animal health effects focusing on airborne MPs, " the study says.

在来自欧洲大陆及北极的雪的样品中检测出大量的微塑料聚集，表明显著的空气污染和强调迫切需要聚焦研究空气中微塑料对人和动物健康的影响。

detect：检测、发现、查明

continental：大陆的

indicate：表明、显示、象征

significant：显著的、重要的

urgent need：迫切需要、紧急需要

生肉 Oct.15 · 2022

Microplastics are everywhere, even in the Arctic snow

Microplastics are some of the Earth's tiniest and most insidious enemies. These tiny bits of plastic are found in countless consumer products including cosmetics, tires, cigarettes and toothpaste, and when they collect in bodies of water and other natural areas, they can pose serious environmental hazards and health risks.

In fact, a new study reveals that microplastics have even polluted Alpine snow and Arctic ice. How did the microplastics get there? The study, published this week in the journal Science Advances, posits that the tiny particles become airborne and, when swept up into the Earth's atmosphere, can be transported virtually around the globe.

"The large concentrations of MPs and microfibers in snow highlight the importance of the atmosphere as a source of airborne MPs and microfibers, " the study reads. "Through this pathway, MPs likely find their way into soil and aquatic environments and therefore also into food chains."

In other words, if microplastics are found in pristine Arctic ice, they're probably being breathed in, lived in and eaten by animals in other ecosystems.

If microplastics are being swirled around the atmosphere, the study says, we're breathing them in, as well. And that could have serious health consequences.

"The high MP concentrations detected in snow samples from continental Europe to the Arctic indicate significant air pollution and stress the urgent need for research on human and animal health effects focusing on airborne MPs, " the study says.