机器人海洋车探索凯尔特海

Robotic Marine¹ Vehicles Explore Celtic Sea 机器人海洋车探索凯尔特海

Scientists in England are using two autonomous² marine vehicles to explore the hydrology and biology of the Celtic Sea, an area off Ireland's southern coast defined by its unique marine life. Primarily, they want to know why marine animals are so attracted to this part of the Atlantic Ocean.

Slowly moving just below the surface, a battery-powered submersible glider³ called Slocum collects data for England's National Oceanography Center in Southampton and the World Wildlife Fund.

Its low energy requirements allow it to stay afloat for up to 30 days, regularly sending reports via satellite about the Celtic Sea’s diverse ecosystem⁴.

“We have echo sounders to detect zooplankton and fish, acoustic⁵ Doppler current profilers for measuring the currents in the water, wet-lab fluorometers for measuring chlorophyll and organic matter, and a few other specialist sensors⁶ as well,” said Stephen Woodward, a glider engineer.

As it oscillates through the water, the glider also creates a two-dimensional cross-section map of the sea.

“We're interested in how, for example, the weather events directly affect the water column and in turn does that affect productivity and then again in fish and further up the food chain, cetaceans or seabirds,” said marine biologist Lavinia Suberg.

Meanwhile, the autonomous catamaran C-Enduro has embarked⁷ on its own mission in the Celtic Sea. Powered by solar panels and a wind turbine, it can stay afloat for months, sending data about the so-called biodiversity hot spots.

“Biodiversity hot spots are areas in the ocean that are usually particularly productive. Productive areas attract zooplankton, and that in turn attracts fish," Suberg said. "Areas of enhanced or elevated biomass of fish often attract marine mammals and seabirds in turn.”

Using autonomous marine vehicles sharply reduces the cost of exploring the seas with crewed floating labs, so scientists can devote more time to laboratory analysis of the collected data. They say it will give them a better understanding of this area’s needs for future management and protection.

1 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。

2 autonomous   

adj.自治的；独立的

参考例句：

• They proudly declared themselves part of a new autonomous province.他们自豪地宣布成为新自治省的一部分。
• This is a matter that comes within the jurisdiction of the autonomous region.这件事是属于自治区权限以内的事务。

3 glider   

n.滑翔机；滑翔导弹

参考例句：

• The glider was soaring above the valley.那架滑翔机在山谷上空滑翔。
• The pilot managed to land the glider on a safe place.那个驾驶员设法让滑翔机着陆到一个安全的地方。

4 ecosystem   

n.生态系统

参考例句：

• This destroyed the ecosystem of the island.这样破坏了岛上的生态系统。
• We all have an interest in maintaining the integrity of the ecosystem.维持生态系统的完整是我们共同的利益。

5 acoustic   

adj.听觉的，声音的；(乐器)原声的

参考例句：

• The hall has a fine acoustic.这个大厅的传音效果很好。
• Animals use a whole rang of acoustic, visual,and chemical signals in their systems of communication.动物利用各种各样的听觉、视觉和化学信号来进行交流。

6 sensors   

n.传感器，灵敏元件( sensor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There were more than 2000 sensors here. 这里装有两千多个灵敏元件。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Significant changes have been noted where sensors were exposed to trichloride. 当传感器暴露在三氯化物中时，有很大变化。 来自辞典例句

7 embarked   

乘船( embark的过去式和过去分词 )； 装载； 从事

参考例句：

• We stood on the pier and watched as they embarked. 我们站在突码头上目送他们登船。
• She embarked on a discourse about the town's origins. 她开始讲本市的起源。