MOLYBDENUMHAZARDSTOFISH,WILDLIFE,ANDINVERTEBRATESA.pdfVIP

Biological Report 85(1.19) Contaminant Hazard Reviews August 1989 Report No. 19 MOLYBDENUM HAZARDS TO FISH, WILDLIFE, AND INVERTEBRATES: A SYNOPTIC REVIEW by Ronald Eisler U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Laurel, MD 20708 SUMMARY The element molybdenum (Mo) is found in all living organisms and is considered to be an essential or beneficial micronutrient. However, the molybdenum poisoning of ruminants has been reported in at least 15 States and 8 foreign countries. Molybdenum is used primarily in the manufacture of steel alloys. Its residues tend to be elevated in plants and soils near Mo mining and reclamation sites, fossil-fuel power plants, and Mo disposal areas. Concentrations of Mo are usually lower in fish and wildlife than in terrestrial macrophytes. Aquatic organisms are comparatively resistant to Mo salts: adverse effects on growth and survival usually appeared only at water concentrations 50 mg Mo/l. But in one study, 50% of newly fertilized eggs of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) died in 28 days at only 0.79 mg Mo/l. High bioconcentration of Mo by certain species of aquatic algae and invertebrates--up to 20 grams of Mo/kg dry weight--has been recorded without apparent harm to the accumulator; however, hazard potential to upper trophic organisms (such as waterfowl) that may feed on bioconcentrators is not clear. Data on Mo effects are missing for avian wildlife and are inadequate for mammalian wildlife. In domestic birds, adverse effects on growth have been reported at dietary Mo concentrations of 200 m