2006年VOA标准英语-Beach Bacteria Leaves Swimmers Stranded at Shor

By Melinda Smith
Washington, DC
09 August 2006
 
watch Beach Pollution report

 
Birds are believed to contribute to the pollution at the beach 
  
A prominent environmental organization has called for better monitoring of the water quality along many of America's beaches.  The Natural Resources Council report says high levels of bacteria have been found in the water.  VOA's Melinda Smith reports dangerous beaches are not unique to the United States.

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The warning comes as millions of families worldwide are spending their summer vacations at the shore.  In 2005, there were more than 20,000 U.S. cases of water contamination. 

  
  
Nancy Stoner of the Natural Resources Defense¹ Council says the signs of pollution are not always visible. "Often the water looks clean. It may smell clean and it may be very inviting², but it can be filled with high levels of dangerous bacteria."

Everything from household trash -- like toilet paper -- to sewage spills and runoff.

Environmental specialist Brad Delashumutt monitors the water at Virginia Beach, Virginia. He says high bacteria levels can even be caused by bird droppings.

"You can get a large flock of seagulls concentrated in an area of the beach that can raise the levels."

  
  
Virginia Beach health authorities issued a swimming advisory³ on one one-and-a-half kilometer stretch, after high levels of fecal matter were found in the water.  In Port Angeles, Washington, 48 kilometers of shoreline were closed after the city's main sewer⁴ line broke down.

Beach bacteria is believed to be a worldwide problem, particularly in countries with little or no standards about sewage runoff. But it is difficult to find records of beach closings because of water bacteria. 

 
  
  
The World Health Organization does not list countries with 'problem' beaches.  Environmentalists say there is often pressure from the local tourism industry to keep this kind of bad news quiet.

No matter which country they live in, children and the elderly are especially susceptible⁵ to waterborne bacteria. It can cause serious intestinal⁶ problems.  Gastro-enteritis, diarrhea, hepatitis and kidney infections are common results.

As one environmentalist put it, 'A day at the beach should not mean a night spent in the bathroom. Or even worse, in the emergency room.'

1 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

2 inviting   

adj.诱人的，引人注目的

参考例句：

• An inviting smell of coffee wafted into the room.一股诱人的咖啡香味飘进了房间。
• The kitchen smelled warm and inviting and blessedly familiar.这间厨房的味道温暖诱人，使人感到亲切温馨。

3 advisory   

adj.劝告的，忠告的，顾问的，提供咨询

参考例句：

• I have worked in an advisory capacity with many hospitals.我曾在多家医院做过顾问工作。
• He was appointed to the advisory committee last month.他上个月获任命为顾问委员会委员。

4 sewer   

n.排水沟，下水道

参考例句：

• They are tearing up the street to repair a sewer. 他们正挖开马路修下水道。
• The boy kicked a stone into the sewer. 那个男孩把一石子踢进了下水道。

5 susceptible   

adj.过敏的，敏感的；易动感情的，易受感动的

参考例句：

• Children are more susceptible than adults.孩子比成人易受感动。
• We are all susceptible to advertising.我们都易受广告的影响。

6 intestinal   

adj.肠的；肠壁；肠道细菌

参考例句：

• A few other conditions are in high intestinal obstruction. 其它少数情况是高位肠梗阻。 来自辞典例句
• This complication has occasionally occurred following the use of intestinal antiseptics. 这种并发症偶而发生在使用肠道抗菌剂上。 来自辞典例句