十万个为什么·科学阅读30篇（5）
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How Do Coral Reefs Grow So Slowly?
珊瑚礁为什么生长得如此缓慢？
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Coral reefs are built by tiny sea animals called polyps.珊瑚礁由一种名为珊瑚虫的微小海洋动物建造。
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Each polyp secretes a hard limestone skeleton around itself.每只珊瑚虫都会在自身周围分泌坚硬的石灰石骨骼。
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New polyps grow on top of old skeletons over many years.新的珊瑚虫多年间不断在旧骨骼上生长。
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Most reefs grow only one to two centimeters per year.大多数珊瑚礁每年仅生长1至2厘米。
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Warm, clear, shallow ocean water helps them grow best.温暖、清澈、浅层的海水最利于其生长。
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Pollution or warm water can stop growth or kill coral.污染或水温升高会阻碍生长甚至杀死珊瑚。
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Some reefs are thousands of years old but only meters tall.一些珊瑚礁已有数千年历史，却仅有数米高。
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Scientists monitor reef growth to track ocean health.科学家通过监测珊瑚礁生长来评估海洋健康状况。