Predictors of psychological stress and behavioural diversity among captive red panda in Indian zoos and their implications for global captive management.

At high elevations, biodiversity is at elevated risk from extinctions due to rapid environmental changes. In the most of its range in Himalayas, the red panda, an endangered species, is struggling to survive in the wild, and a global captive breeding programme has been launched to conserve the species. Because captivity can have negative impacts on animals, reducing the chance of successful reintroduction, we investigated the predictors of stereotyped behaviour and behavioural diversity of red panda (n = 26), and the effect of stereotypy on their behavioural diversity in three Indian zoos. Multivariate analysis showed that stereotypy increased with density of logs on the ground, age and higher among pandas in zoo 3 compared to zoo 2, but decreased with number of nests, sociality, tree density and tree height used. Similarly, behavioural diversity increased with log density, but decreased among pandas in zoo 2 compared to zoo 1, during summer compared to winter, and also with ambient temperature, stereotypy, tree density, and tree height used. The relationship between stereotypy and behavioural diversity was negative, but not significant. Provision of a greater density of trees was associated with higher levels of daytime inactivity. Findings from this study have global relevance, as the captive red panda experiences similar welfare issues around the world, and our data provide empirical support for some existing guidelines for red panda husbandry.

Methyl acrylate modified apple pomace as promising adsorbent for the removal of divalent metal ion from industrial wastewater.

Polymerized apple pomace (PoAP) surface was evaluated as adsorbent for the removal of Pb+2, Cd+2, and Ni+2 ions from aqueous solution. PoAP was characterized by FTIR, SEM, EDS, XRD, and BET surface area analyzer. Furthermore, the adsorption influencing parameters such as dose, pH, time, concentration, and temperature were optimized for maximum removal of metal ions from aqueous solution. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of PoAP was found to be 106, 34.12, and 19.45 mg g-1, for Pb+2, Cd+2, and Ni+2 ions respectively, using the Langmuir isotherm model. The rate of adsorption was evaluated using pseudo-second order kinetics and intra-particle diffusion. The adsorption data followed pseudo-second order kinetic with the correlation coefficient (r 2) from 0.99-1 at all concentration. Thermodynamic study revealed endothermic nature of Pb+2 and Cd+2 adsorption and exothermic for Ni+2 ions. The rate of adsorption for binary and tertiary mixtures of Pb+2, Ni+2, and Cd+2 metal ion was studied using the ideal adsorbed solution theory. The regeneration study revealed that PoAP could be re-utilized up to 4 cycles for Pb+2 and 2 cycles for Cd+2 and Ni+2 ions. PoAP was successfully applied to real industrial wastewater for the removal of Pb+2, Cd+2, and Ni+2 ions.

Synthesis and characterization of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles impregnated on apple pomace to enhanced adsorption of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Ni(II) ions from aqueous solution.

Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles were synthesized, characterized, and impregnated onto apple pomace surface (HANP@AP) for efficient removal of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Ni(II) ions from water. HANP@AP was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and surface area analysis. Batch sorption studies were carried out to investigate the influence of different parameters as amount of dose (g), pH, time (min), and initial concentration (mg L(-1)) on adsorption process. Experimental kinetic data followed pseudo-second-order model and equilibrium data well fitted to Langmuir adsorption model with maximum adsorption capacities of 303, 250, and 100 mg g(-1) for Pb(II), Cd(II), and Ni(II) ions, respectively. Competitive adsorption of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Ni(II) ions in presences of each other was studied to evaluate the removal efficiency of HANP@AP against multi metal-loaded water. HANP@AP was successfully applied to real industrial wastewater with 100 % removal of all three metal ions even at high concentration. HANP@AP could be recycled for four, four, and three cycles in case of Pb(II), Cd(II) and Ni(II), respectively. The study showed that HANP@AP is fast, cost effective, and environmental friendly adsorbent for removal of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Ni(II) ions from real industrial wastewater.

Assessment of bioaccumulation of heavy metal by Pteris vittata L. growing in the vicinity of fly ash.

Pteris vittata L. subsp. vittata, a potential arsenic hyperaccumulator fern, growing naturally in the vicinity offly ash was analyzed for the concentration of nine heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Zn Ni, Al, Cr, Pb, Si, and As) from five different sites around of Kanti Thermal Power Station at Muzaffarpur in Bihar State, India. Metal accumulation in P. vittata was correlated with the level of pollution at five selected sampling sites. The results revealed significantly more accumulation of these metals in the above ground parts of the plant than the parts below ground. Statistical parameters such as the coefficient of variation (CV%) showed a higher for As, Cu, Cr, and a lower one for Fe, Ni, Al. There was high spatial variability in the total metal concentration at different sites. The present study confirmed that P. vittata is a heavy metals accumulator and that it is a highly suitable candidate for phytoremediation of metal contaminated wastelands.