When the fuel rods are left uncovered by water, they'll get far too hot--we're talking thousands of degrees Celsius here--and begin to oxidize, or rust.

燃料棒暴露于水面之上就会变得过热，它们的温度会骤升至数千度，并开始氧化或腐蚀。

youdao

The rust should be especially thick for a league not expected to begin training camp until the second week of December.

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