B

Rising levels of carbon dioxide(二氧化碳) in the atmosphere(大气) is a major reason of climate(气候)change, and now a new study has proved that atmospheric CO2 is also affecting the ocean chemistry and harming sea life.

Montana State University scientist Robert Dore has been researching the water in the Pacific Ocean for years.

“We’ve been going to the same spot in the Pacific Ocean, and we try and describe long-term change in the open ocean environment. And one of the key things that we measure is CO2 levels. And we’ve been able to record this increasing quantity(数量) of atmospheric CO2 into the ocean.”

Scientists expected(预计) that as atmospheric CO2 increased, more and more of the carbon dioxide would be absorbed(吸收) into the ocean, affecting the chemical balance of the sea water, with a harmful influence on shellfish and coral.

“As carbon dioxide dissolves in the water, or seawater, it forms a weak acid,carbonic acid,” Dore explains. “And therefore,as the concentration(浓度) of CO2 in the atmosphere goes up and that exchanges with the surface seawater, it drives the pH down, and makes it more acid.”

The seawater Dore and his workmates have proved what the theory predicts.

The effect was particular at about 250 meters or so, and again at 500 meters.Dore and his workmates came up with two possible explanations.It could be that surface water picked up CO2 and then moved to those depths.Or there could be a biological explanation.

“It’s important to realize that the oceans are really becoming acid. And it can have negative influence on a whole variety of sea life from fish to coral. It’s potential catastrophe(潜在的灾难).”

6. What can be the best title of the passage?

A. Sea Life Facing Danger               B. Climate Change Affecting Seawater

C Oceans Becoming More Acidic          D. Scientist Researching Seawater

7. Which of the following shows the process(过程) of the influence of atmospheric CO2 on sea life?

a.Sea life is endangered(濒临面绝的).

b. CO2 goes into the surface water.

c.The ocean chemistry is affected.

d. CO2 decreases the pH and makes the seawater more acid.

e. CO2 levels in the atmosphere go up.

A. abcde              B. ebcda            C. aecdb            D. edcba

8.Scientist Robert Dore came to the conclusion(结论)based on(基于)______.

A. his research and analysis.              B. the expectation of other scientists

C.some former(形成的)theory          D. a major reason of climate change.

9. What does the passage want to tell us most?

A. It takes time to make a scientific study.

B Atmospheric CO2 is doing harm to sea life.

C.Measures should be taken to prevent the potential catastrophe.

D. Robert Dore is a serious scientist.

10.The passage can most probably be found in a ______book..

A.science       B.history      C.travel       D.math