Sea star wasting disease (SSWD) is a strange and serious illness affecting sea stars, or starfish. This disease causes sea stars to develop painful lesions, lose their arms, and eventually turn into a gooey, melted mess. Since it was first observed in 2013, millions of sea stars along the Pacific coast of North America have died from this __1__.
Although viruses were once considered a possible cause, researchers now believe that environmental stressors and microorganisms are primarily __2__ for sea star wasting disease. One of the main environmental triggers appears to be warmer ocean water. When the water heats up, it promotes the __3__ growth of tiny aquatic organisms called phytoplankton. These phytoplankton blooms consume large amounts of oxygen in the water, making it hard for sea stars to __4__. At the same time, microorganisms living on and around the sea stars multiply, feeding on their decaying tissue and __5__ the problem. This creates a dangerous cycle where sea stars slowly suffocate and waste away.
海星衰弱症候群是影響海星的一種奇怪且嚴重的疾病。這種疾病會讓海星出現疼痛的損傷、失去腕足，最後變成一團軟又黏的融化物。自該疾病於 2013 年首次被發現以來，北美太平洋沿岸已有數百萬隻海星死於此疾病。
Photo: AdobeStock I 照片：AdobeStock
雖然病毒曾一度被認為是可能的病因，但研究人員現在認為，環境壓力與微生物的綜合作用才是引發海星衰弱症候群的主因。其中一個主要的環境觸發因素似乎是海水溫度升高。當水溫上升時，會促使被稱為浮游植物的微小水生有機體快速成長。這些浮游植物大量繁殖會消耗水中大量的氧氣，讓海星難以呼吸。與此同時，生活在海星表面和周圍的微生物數量會大量增加、啃食腐爛的海星組織、使問題更加嚴重。這形成了一個危險的循環，海星會慢慢窒息死亡而分解。
Word in Use
1. virus n. 病毒
Photo: AdobeStock I 照片：AdobeStock
The doctor said the symptoms were caused by a common virus.
醫生說這些症狀是由一種常見的病毒所引起。
Photo: AdobeStock I 照片：AdobeStock
2. organism n. 有機體
Every organism plays a role in the ecosystem.
每個有機體在生態系統中都有一定的作用。
3. bloom n. 大量繁殖
The sudden bloom of algae reduced oxygen levels in the lake.
突然大量繁殖的藻類降低了湖中的氧氣含量。
Practical Phrases
1. die from. . . 死於……
Fish may die from lack of oxygen in polluted water.
魚可能會因為在受汙染的水中缺氧而死。
2. heat up 變熱
The climate is heating up due to global warming.
由於全球暖化，氣候正在變暖。
3. feed on. . . 以……為食
Some animals feed on grass, while others feed on raw meat.
有些動物以草為食，而有些則以生肉為食。
To be continued tomorrow（明日待續）
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Sea star wasting disease (SSWD) is a strange and serious illness affecting sea stars, or starfish. This disease causes sea stars to develop painful lesions, lose their arms, and eventually turn into a gooey, melted mess. Since it was first observed in 2013, millions of sea stars along the Pacific coast of North America have died from this __1__. Although viruses were once considered a possible cause, researchers now believe that environmental stressors and microorganisms are primarily __2__ for sea star wasting disease. One of the main environmental triggers appears to be warmer ocean water. When the water heats
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