Ⅰ.阅读理解
A
Researchers from Texas A&M University have developed a new bioremediation technology(生物整治技术) using plant-based material and fungi(真菌) that could clean up per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance,also called “forever chemicals” or PFAS,are found in soil,water,and even human and animal blood and may be harmful to humans and other species.They are found just about everywhere,from food wrappers to clothing.These chemicals may affect the immune system and may cause liver damage.Extremely high exposures to PFAS may also be linked to cancer.
“PFAS do not degrade easily in the environment and are poisonous even in a very low concentration,” said Susie Dai,associate professor from Texas A&M.“They must be removed and destroyed to prevent human exposure and negative impacts on the ecosystem.PFAS are so stable and they can occur in water in a very low concentration and you have to concentrate them and then destroy them.”
The only way to actually get rid of these “forever chemicals” is by burning them,which is a long and expensive process.But Texas A&M researchers have found a new way to use a plant-based material that adsorbs the pollutants.As explained by ScienceDirect,adsorption is “the use of solids for removing substances from either gas or liquid”.The adsorbent material is then consumed by microbial fungi.The team recently published their findings for the process framework,which they call RAPIMER,in Nature.
“The plant’s cell wall material serves as a framework to adsorb the PFAS,” Dai explained.“Then this material and the adsorbed chemical serve as food for a microbial fungus.Then it’s gone,and you don’t have the disposal problem.”
This sustainable PFAS clean-up system could be mass-produced for commercial use,leading to a better way to remove these chemical pollutants from the environment.It could also come in handy as the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency considers creating PFAS thresholds(阈值) to its water quality standards.
1.What is mainly talked about in paragraph 2?
A.PFAS’s existing forms.
B.PFAS’s doubtful origins.
C.PFAS’s potential dangers.
D.PFAS’s wide applications.
2.What did Susie Dai say about PFAS?
A.They are unstable.
B.They degrade easily in the environment.
C.They survive longer in water than in the air.
D.They are poisonous even in a low concentration.
3.What happens after the plant-based material adsorbs the pollutants?
A.The material gets eaten.
B.The material becomes solid.
C.The material falls into small pieces.
D.The material goes on to adsorb fungi.
4.What is the author’s attitude towards the plant-based material?
A.Indifferent. B.Worried.
C.Positive. D.Reserved.
