研究显示，恐龙可能在小行星撞击地球之前就已经中毒了

研究显示，恐龙可能在小行星撞击地球之前就已经中毒了

Prior to their asteroid-linked extinction, dinosaurs were already struggling to survive due to a sharp increase in mercury levels caused by a massive volcano eruption, according to a new study.

一项新的研究表明，在与小行星有关的灭绝之前，由于大规模火山喷发导致汞含量急剧上升，恐龙已经在为生存而苦苦挣扎。

The researchers looked at fossilized marine mollusk shells from across the globe. The researchers discovered “what appears to be a global signal of both abrupt ocean warming and distinctly elevated mercury concentrations” caused by the mass eruption of the Deccan Traps in India, according to a statement accompanying the study.

研究人员观察了来自全球的海洋软体动物壳化石。研究人员发现，由印度德干地盾大规模喷发造成的“海洋突然变暖和汞浓度明显升高的全球信号”。

“For the first time, we can provide insights into the distinct climatic and environmental impacts of Deccan Traps volcanism by analyzing a single material,” said Kyle Meyer, lead author of the new study, in a statement.

这项新研究的主要作者凯尔迈耶(Kyle Meyer)在一份声明中说，“我们第一次可以通过分析单一物质，深入了解德坎火山活动对气候和环境的不同影响。”

“It was incredibly surprising to see that the exact same samples where marine temperatures showed an abrupt warming signal also exhibited the highest mercury concentrations and that these concentrations were of similar magnitude to a site of significant modern industrial mercury contamination.”

“令人难以置信的是，在同样的样本中，海洋温度显示出突然变暖的信号，同时也显示出最高的汞浓度，这些浓度与现代工业汞污染严重的地点相似。”

The study has been published in the scientific journal Nature Communications.

这项研究发表在科学杂志《自然通讯》上。

Mercury is a highly toxic metal that not only results in significant health issues in humans, but fish and wildlife as well. Volcanic eruptions are the largest producer of naturally occurring mercury. The fossilized shells, which contain mercury, give new credence to the idea that mercury poisoning may have negatively impacted the dinosaurs.

汞是一种剧毒金属，不仅会对人类健康造成重大影响，还会对鱼类和野生动物造成危害。火山喷发是自然产生汞的最大来源。这些含有汞的贝壳化石为汞中毒可能对恐龙产生了负面影响的观点提供了新的证据。

Researchers continue to learn more about the time period surrounding the dinosaur extinction, including about the asteroid itself. According to a study published in October, the asteroid, which hit Earth and wiped out nearly 75 percent of all species on the planet, may have acidified Earth’s oceans.

研究人员继续研究恐龙灭绝的时间，包括小行星本身。去年10月发表的一项研究显示，撞击地球并导致地球上近75%物种灭绝的小行星可能导致了地球海洋的酸化。