PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) pose a risk to captive giant pandas

Yi-Ping Chen,Ying-Juan Zheng,Qiang Liu,Aaron M Ellison,Yan Zhao,Qing-Yi Ma

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2017.04.023

Abstract

The Qinling subspecies of giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca qinlingensis), is highly endangered; fewer than 350 individuals still inhabit Qinling Mountains. Previous research revealed captive pandas were exposed to bromine, so we hypothesized that captive pandas were exposed to and affected by polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). To test this hypothesis, we tested blood and feces of captive and wild pandas, their drinking water, food (bamboo leaves) from SWARC (Shaanxi Wild Animal Research Center)and FNNR (Foping National Nature Reserve) and supplemental feedstuff given to captive panda at SWARC. We found 13 congeners of PBDEs in fecal samples, of which BDE47, BDE66, BDE71, BDE99, and BDE154 were the dominant, total PBDE concentration in feces of captive pandas was 255% higher than in wild pandas. We found nine PBDEs congeners in blood samples: BDE153 and BDE183 were the predominant congers. PBDEs in blood from captive pandas were significantly higher than in wild pandas. The total concentration of PBDEs were 5473 and 4835 (pg.g) in Fargesia qinlingensis, were 2192 and 1414 (pg.g) in Bashannia fargesii (2192, 1414 pg g), 0.066, 0.038 (pg/ml) in drinking water, and 28.8 (pg.g) in supplemental feedstuff for captive and wild pandas, which indicate that the PBDEs came from its bamboo feed, especially from Bashannia fargesii. Our results demonstrate that BDE99 and BDE47 could be threatening the pandas’ health especially for captive panda and there are potential health risks from PBDEs for pandas. In the short term, this risk may be ameliorated by strict control of food quality. In the long term, however, reducing air, water and soil contamination so as to improve environmental quality can best reduce these risks to meet the international standard such as Stockholm Convention.

Highlights

IntroductionThe giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is one of the rarest animals in the world
The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is one of the rarest animals in the world.Approximately 1800 individuals remain in anthropogenically fragmented habitats (SFA, 2015), of which < 350 individuals are of the Qinling subspecies (A. melanoleuca qinlingensis) living in the Qinling Mountains of China (SFA, 2015)
We found that chlorine and bromine were 690% and 330% higher in feces of captive pandas than in those of wild pandas (Chen and Ma, 2017), and we hypothesized that captive pandas may be exposed to and affected by polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)

Summary

Introduction

The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is one of the rarest animals in the world. 1800 individuals remain in anthropogenically fragmented habitats (SFA, 2015), of which < 350 individuals are of the Qinling subspecies (A. melanoleuca qinlingensis) living in the Qinling Mountains of China (SFA, 2015). In the last several decades, two strategies have been used to protect this species. One strategy is ex-situ breeding in, for example, the Beijing Zoo, the Wolong Breeding Center, and the Shaanxi Wild Animal Research Center (SWARC). The other strategy is the establishment of natural conservation zones to preserve panda habitat. In the last several decades, 67 conservation zones, with a total area > 43,600 km, have been established (SFA, 2015)

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