World News for Students of English

25-09-2023 07:00

Off the eastern coast of Thailand, an unusually dense plankton bloom has created an aquatic dead zone.

This threatens the livelihood of local fishermen who cultivate mussels in these waters. Marine scientists have observed that some areas in the Gulf of Thailand have more than ten times the normal amount of plankton, turning the water bright green and causing harm to marine life. Plankton blooms are periodic and typically last for two to three days, however, this one is particularly severe. They can be harmful to the environment by producing toxins or depleting oxygen and blocking sunlight, leading to the death of marine creatures.

In Chonburi, known for its mussel farms, over 80% of the nearly 300 plots have been affected, causing significant losses for fishermen. While the exact cause of this intense plankton bloom is uncertain, scientists suspect pollution and rising sea temperatures due to climate change are contributing factors.

Difficult words: cultivate (to grow), periodic (happening regularly), deplete (to reduce the quantity or strength of something).

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