新奇事件簿 科学家称火星上很难存在生命

Scientists have discovered new things about the atmosphere and environment on Mars. They found a "toxic¹ cocktail²" of chemicals that would easily kill any living organism. The chemicals have been found on the surface of the Red Planet. The scientists, from Edinburgh University in the UK, say the discovery of the chemicals means the chance of finding life on Mars has fallen. The scientists are astrobiologists – they study the atmosphere and environments in the universe that might support life. The researchers said Mars had no ozone³ layer, which means there are high levels of ultra-violet (UV) radiation. The mix of UV radiation and the chemicals sterilized⁴ the Martian landscape.

科学家关于火星上的大气和环境有了新的发现。他们发现能够轻易杀死任何生命有机体的化学物质有毒混合物。这些化学物质是在这个红色行星的表面发现的。来自英国爱丁堡大学的科学家表示，这些化学物质的发现意味着在火星上发现生命的可能性降低了。这些科学家是太空生物学者——他们研究宇宙中可能维持生命的大气和环境。研究人员表示，火星上没有臭氧层，这意味着紫外线辐射水平比较高。紫外线和化学物质两种因素导致火星环境没有生命存在。

The scientists tested what happens when the chemicals found on Mars mix with UV radiation. They found it killed organisms very quickly. The chemicals alone were enough to kill living organisms. However, when the chemicals were mixed with UV rays, the mix killed organisms 11 times faster. The scientists said: "Our observations show that the surface of present-day Mars is highly harmful to cells, caused by a toxic cocktail of [chemicals] and UV radiation." They added that their research was further evidence that the surface of Mars is deadly to any form of plant life. They say the chemicals and UV rays make, "much of the surface and near-surface regions uninhabitable".

科学家试验了火星上发现的化学物质与紫外线辐射共同作用的效果。他们发现有机体很快就会被杀死。仅仅这些化学物质足以杀死任何生命有机体。然而，当这些化学物质与紫外线混合的时候，有机体被杀死的速度加快了11倍。科学家表示：“我们的观察表明，当前火星表面对细胞是有害的，主要是由于化学物质和紫外线的有毒混合物的作用。”他们补充说，他们的研究是火星表面对任何形式的植物都致命的进一步证据。他们说，这些化学物质和紫外线导致火星的表层和近表层不适合居住。

1 toxic   

adj.有毒的，因中毒引起的

参考例句：

• The factory had accidentally released a quantity of toxic waste into the sea.这家工厂意外泄漏大量有毒废物到海中。
• There is a risk that toxic chemicals might be blasted into the atmosphere.爆炸后有毒化学物质可能会进入大气层。

2 cocktail   

n.鸡尾酒；餐前开胃小吃；混合物

参考例句：

• We invited some foreign friends for a cocktail party.我们邀请了一些外国朋友参加鸡尾酒会。
• At a cocktail party in Hollywood,I was introduced to Charlie Chaplin.在好莱坞的一次鸡尾酒会上，人家把我介绍给查理·卓别林。

3 ozone   

n.臭氧，新鲜空气

参考例句：

• The ozone layer is a protective layer around the planet Earth.臭氧层是地球的保护层。
• The capacity of ozone can adjust according of requirement.臭氧的产量可根据需要或调节。

4 sterilized   

v.消毒( sterilize的过去式和过去分词 )；使无菌；使失去生育能力；使绝育

参考例句：

• My wife was sterilized after the birth of her fourth child. 我妻子生完第4个孩子后做了绝育手术。 来自辞典例句
• All surgical instruments must be sterilized before use. 所有的外科手术器械在使用之前，必须消毒。 来自辞典例句