The world's increasing population is putting arable land 1 and water. future. In addition to food, however, seaweed (marine alga 7 ) is highly

Transcription

1 6. Seaweed The world's increasing population is putting arable land 1 and water resources 2 for food production in short supply 3. That is why scientists are looking to 4 the seaweed 5 industry as a largely untapped 6 food source for the future. In addition to food, however, seaweed (marine alga 7 ) is highly prized in the production of chemicals 8, industrial gums 9 and fertilizers 10. In Japan, seaweed has been a staple 11 of the diet 12 for centuries. Yearly consumption averages about four kilograms per household 13, or ten percent of the overall diet. The popular seaweed wakame, for instance, is washed, dried, and, after cutting, added to the miso soup served at most Japanese meals. Another seaweed, kombu (kelp 14 ), is often flaked 15 or powdered and used in the preparation of fish 16 and meat dishes, soups and rice. Nori (red 1 arable land... 2 water resources... 3 in short supply... 4 are looking to... 5 seaweed... 6 untapped marine alga... chemicals... industrial gum... fertilizer... staple... diet... household... kelp... flake... in the preparation of fish... 1

2 alga 17 ) is mainly sold in dry sheets for use in sushi and onigiri (rice ball). Seaweed is high in protein 18, vitamins 19 and minerals 20, especially iodine 21. A lack 22 of iodine causes Basedow's disease 23, identified by an enlarged thyroid gland 24 commonly called goiter 25. Nori, the most valuable aquaculture crop 26 in the world, contains 1.5 times as much vitamin C as oranges. Worldwide 27 production of seaweed in 1993 was about seven million tons, of which 65% was as foodstuff 28. Japan is not the only area of the world to realize seaweed's potential 29. Tenth century Icelandic sagas 30 describe the gathering of a special red alga. This same alga has also been used by the Scots 31 and lrish for ages 32. Other countries involved in algae production include Norway, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. 17 red alga protein vitamins mineral iodine lack Basedow's disease an enlarged thyroid gland goiter... aquaculture crop... worldwide... foodstuff... potential... Icelandic sagas..., : Iceland Norway, the Scots... for ages... 2

3 The medical applications of marine algae date back to 33 pre-christian times 34 when it was used as a treatment 35 for worms 36. Around 1900, Irish moss 37 became another popular natural remedy. Still, the laboratory is where the latest medical discoveries have occurred. Two red algae, for example, were found to inhibit the herpes simplex virus 38. Another red alga suppressed cancerous tumors 39 in animals. Further research has shown positive benefits for arthritis 40, TB 41 and influenza. The industrial uses of seaweed, however, have seen remarkable growth. The brown alga 42 liquid extracts 43 used in agriculture, for example, produce higher soil 44 constituent 45 uptake 46. This results in greater crop yields 47 with increased resistance to frost and storage deterioration 48. Internationally, industrial gums derived from seaweed net 49 over $1.1 billion 50 yearly and 33 date back to pre-christian times treatment worms Irish moss =carrageen ; ; 38 herpes simplex virus cancerous tumors arthritis... TB... =tuberculosis brown alga... liquid extract... soil... constituent... uptake... crop yields... storage deterioration... net... 3

4 will not soon be replaced by inferior 51 artificial gums 52, according to a 1997 report. The total worth of the seaweed business worldwide exceeds 4.5 billion dollars. While improvement in many areas of marine algae production and application is still needed, clearly it is an industry that is here to stay billion...10 inferior... artificial gums... is here to stay... [ ] 4

5 Exercise 6-1: T-F Questions T F ( T ) 1. Although population growth has made seaweed an important food source for the future, much of the world has been eating it for centuries. ( F ) 2. The international seaweed business is worth about ten million U.S. dollars. ( T ) 3. Seaweed, wet, dried, flaked or powdered, makes up about ten percent of the average Japanese diet. ( F ) 4. Marine algae production, as an industry, has become important only in the last 50 years, and then only in Asia. ( F ) 5. The medicinal uses of marine algae are all well documented, even from pre-christian times. ( T ) 6. Besides vitamins, proteins and carbohydrates, seaweed is perhaps the best source of iodine for the prevention of Basedow's disease. ( T ) 7. Adding marine algae to the soil produces higher crop yields and greater resistance to frost. 5

6 Exercise 6-2: Useful Vocabulary l. He is now studying ( d ) biology in college. 2. In many parts of the world, water is in short ( c ). 3. Almost all ( i ) in our country have a television. 4. This church ( b ) back to the 15th century. 5. She went to the hospital for medical ( j ). 6. They were ( f ) around $75,000 a year. 7. We are ( g ) to you for financial support. 8. The price ( h ) a five percent consumption tax. 9. Our bus was late ( a ) to heavy traffic. 10. The ( e ) of computers has increased in recent years. ( a) due (b) dates ( c) supply (d) marine ( e ) production ( f ) netting ( g ) looking ( h ) includes ( i ) households ( j ) treatment 6

7 Exercise 6-3: Structure and Idiomatic Expressions 1. It is a good idea to save some money (at / for) the future. 2. The plants in the garden died for lack (of / with) water. 3. His tactless 54 remarks 55 just added fuel 56 (under / to) her anger. 4. He will come (on / around ) three o'clock. 5. If I were you, I wouldn't get involved (in / to) such matters tactless... remark... add fuel to... 7

8 Exercise 6-4: Basic Composition 1. Since there are so many uses for seaweed, new products are expected to be developed in the years. 2. ( ) It has been reported that some seaweed suppressed tumors in laboratory animals. 3. Some call seaweed vegetables from the sea. 8