Scientists are surveying the Bohai Sea's frozen waters in an attempt to squeeze something good out of the recent winter weather disaster. Their findings may enable them to turn desalinated ice into drinkable water.

科学家们正在渤海的冰冻海域开展调查，试图从渤海最近的冬季冰冻灾害中寻找变害为宝的方法。研究结果可能会产生可行的方法把盐度很低的海冰变成饮用水。

At a harbor near the city of Dalian, scientists are extracting samples from the frozen surface. The temporary passage created by their icebreaker freezes again within minutes.

在大连附近的一港口，科学家正在冰封的海面上提取样本。破冰船开辟的临时通道在几分钟内就又冻上了。

Chen Weibin, Division Director of National Maritime Env. Mon. Center, said, "The ice is getting thicker. The biggest chunk measures more than 40 centimeters."

国家海洋环境监测中心部门主任陈伟斌表示：“冰越来越厚。最大的一块厚度达40多厘米。”

The researchers are carrying spectrum analyzers, water quality indicators, and even radar reflectors to study the ice. The salt in the frozen chunks weighs as much as one-sixth of an equivalent amount of sea water. Scientists say it's actually much easier to remove salt from sea ice than from water.

研究人员动用了频谱分析仪、水质检测仪、甚至雷达反射器来研究海冰。冰块中盐的含量只有海水的六分之一。科学家说，海冰去盐实际上要比海水去盐容易的多。

Professor Gu Wei, from Beijing Normal University, said, "Our estimation puts the current sea ice reserve in the Bohai area at around 20 billion cubic meters. If we're able to tap into it, we can then overcome the water shortages in the country's costal cities."

北京师范大学教授顾卫说：“我们估计，渤海海域的海冰储量约为200亿立方米。如果加以利用，就能解决我国沿海城市的水资源短缺问题。”

But for soldiers protecting China's border islands, sea ice means trouble. The troops haven't seen a

single transporter ship for a long time. Every warm day is a chance to send in some provisions.

但对于守护中国边境岛屿的军人们来说，大海结冰可不是一件好事。士兵们已经很长时间没有看到运输船了。每个天气转暖的日子都是给他们运送补给的好机会。

Yan Zhibo, Vice Commander of Transporter Ship Convoy, said, "It's been nearly a month since our last mission. We can't wait to set sail right now, because more freezing days are ahead."

船运大队二中队副队长闫志波说，“岛上已经一个多月没送给养了。我们现在要马上启航，因为未来几天还会有大风降温天气。”

The convoy was carrying correspondence as well. The guards on the islands have been craving letters from home since maritime traffic was cut off.

运输队还随同带来了战士们的信件。海上运输中断之后，岛上的官兵都对家书望眼欲穿。

Liu Han, fresh recruit, said, "Finally! A letter for me! I prepared my reply even before receiving it. I'm also sending postcards to my family."

新战士刘涵说：“终于等到了！终于等到了我的信。我早就写好了回信，也准备给家人寄几张明信片。”

Weather forecasters say the freezing conditions in the area around the Bohai Sea are expected to worsen, due to recent cold snaps. Maritime traffic departments have mobilized additional icebreakers to help keep the aquatic lanes open.

天气预报称，因为近期寒流影响，环渤海地区的冰冻天气将加剧。海上交通部门已动员了更多的破冰船，以保持水道畅通。