Data from: Atmospheric deposition exposes Qinling pandas to toxic pollutants

The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is one of the most endangered animals in the world, and it is recognized worldwide as a symbol for conservation. A previous study showed that wild and captive pandas, especially those of the Qinling subspecies, were exposed to toxicants in their diet of bamboo; the ultimate origin of these toxicants is unknown. Here we show that atmospheric deposition is the most likely origin of heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the diets of captive and wild Qinling pandas. Average atmospheric deposition was 199, 115 and 49 g∙m−2∙yr−1 in the center of Xi'an city, at China's Shaanxi Wild Animal Research Center (SWARC), and at Foping National Nature Reserve (FNNR), respectively. Atmospheric deposition of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, Co, Cu, Zn, Mn and Ni) and POPs was highest at Xi'an city, intermediate at SWARC, and lowest at FNNR. Soil concentrations of the aforementioned heavy metals other than As and Zn also were significantly higher at SWARC than at FNNR. Efforts to conserve Qinling pandas may be compromised by air pollution attendant to China's economic development. Improvement of air quality and reductions of toxic emissions are urgently required to protect China's iconic species.

大熊猫（Ailuropoda melanoleuca）是全球最濒危的动物类群之一，同时被全世界公认为生物保护的标志性象征。既往研究显示，野生与圈养大熊猫，尤其是秦岭亚种，在以竹子为食的过程中会暴露于有毒物质中，但此类有毒物质的最终来源尚未明确。本研究证实，大气沉降是圈养及野生秦岭大熊猫日粮中重金属与持久性有机污染物（POPs）的最可能来源。西安市中心、中国陕西野生动物研究中心（SWARC）以及佛坪国家级自然保护区（FNNR）的大气沉降量均值分别为199、115和49 g·m⁻²·yr⁻¹。西安市的重金属（砷As、镉Cd、铬Cr、铅Pb、汞Hg、钴Co、铜Cu、锌Zn、锰Mn及镍Ni）与持久性有机污染物的大气沉降水平最高，陕西野生动物研究中心次之，佛坪国家级自然保护区最低。除砷与锌外，其余上述重金属在陕西野生动物研究中心的土壤含量也显著高于佛坪国家级自然保护区。中国经济发展伴随而来的大气污染，可能会对秦岭大熊猫的保护工作造成不利影响。为保护这一中国标志性物种，亟需改善空气质量并降低有毒污染物排放。