纪录片《南太平洋》 第70期 无尽深蓝（04）

The survivors¹ of the Essex were in virtually unexplored waters,

埃塞克斯号的幸存者们远离陆地

2,000 miles west of South America on the equator, almost as far from land as it's possible to be.

在距离南美洲西部三千多公里，赤道附近的未知海域漂流

They were about to find out just how challenging survival in the South Pacific can be.

他们将会发现在南太平洋生存是多么艰难

Unable to sail directly east because of the prevailing² winds,

受到盛行风影响，无法直接向东航行

they were forced south and into the area of the South Pacific known then as the Desolate³ Region.

他们被迫向南驶入南太平洋当时被称为荒凉海域的地区

A vast, uncharted, windless ocean the size of Australia.

一片面积与澳大利亚相近平静而未知的海域

These beautiful blue waters are the clearest in the world.

这里有世界上最为澄澈的美丽湛蓝的海水

But they are a watery⁴ desert, clear and blue because there is so little plankton⁵, the key to all marine⁶ food chains.

但这是一片海洋荒漠，清澈湛蓝是由于缺少浮游生物，它们是海洋食物链的关键一环

Plankton need nutrients⁷, but most nutrients are locked in the deep,

浮游生物需要营养，但大多数营养物质都深锁海底

denied access to the surface by a layer of water called the thermocline, around 200 metres down.

由于海面下两百米处的温跃层阻隔，无法进入表层海水

The little life that does exist at the surface seeks shelter, no matter how superficial it may be.

生存于表层海水的少数生灵，寻找着即便是最简陋的居所。

1 survivors   

幸存者，残存者，生还者( survivor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The survivors were adrift in a lifeboat for six days. 幸存者在救生艇上漂流了六天。
• survivors clinging to a raft 紧紧抓住救生筏的幸存者

2 prevailing   

adj.盛行的；占优势的；主要的

参考例句：

• She wears a fashionable hair style prevailing in the city.她的发型是这个城市流行的款式。
• This reflects attitudes and values prevailing in society.这反映了社会上盛行的态度和价值观。

3 desolate   

adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂

参考例句：

• The city was burned into a desolate waste.那座城市被烧成一片废墟。
• We all felt absolutely desolate when she left.她走后，我们都觉得万分孤寂。

4 watery   

adj.有水的，水汪汪的；湿的，湿润的

参考例句：

• In his watery eyes there is an expression of distrust.他那含泪的眼睛流露出惊惶失措的神情。
• Her eyes became watery because of the smoke.因为烟熏，她的双眼变得泪汪汪的。

5 plankton   

n.浮游生物

参考例句：

• Plankton is at the bottom of the marine food chain.浮游生物处于海洋食物链的最底层。
• The plankton in the sea feeds many kinds of animals. 海的浮游生物成为很多种动物的食物。

6 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。

7 nutrients   

n.（食品或化学品）营养物，营养品( nutrient的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a lack of essential nutrients 基本营养的缺乏
• Nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. 营养素被吸收进血液。 来自《简明英汉词典》