纪录片《南太平洋》 第70期 无尽深蓝（04）（在线收听）

The survivors 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 prevailing 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 Desolate 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 watery desert, clear and blue because there is so little plankton, the key to all marine 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 nutrients, 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。