Molybdenum in the Environment
Molybdenum in the Atmosphere
Release of molybdenum into the environment can occur through weathering, agricultural uses of molybdenum compounds, and industrial processes. Molybdenum in air has a range of values. Molybdenum concentrations in air are higher in urban areas than in rural areas. The combustion of fossil fuels is a constant source of molybdenum [Parker, 1986]. Relatively high concentrations are present in air-borne ash expelled usually during the combustion of fossil fuels.
[US DHEW, 1966; Adler, 1957; Adkins and Losee, 1970; Allaway et al., 1968; Anderson, 1966; Anderson and Grensfelt, 1973.]
Parker, G. A., Molybdenum in: Hutzinger, O. (ed.), Handbook of Environmental Chemistry , 1986, 3D, 217. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
US DHEW, Air Quality Data, National Air Sampling Network, 1966, Public Health Service.
Adler, P., Odont. Révy Suppl., 1957, 48.
Adkins, B. L. and Losee, F. L., N.Y. State dent. J., 1970, 36, 618.
Allaway, W. H., Kubota, J., Losee, F. L. and Roth, M., Arch. Environ. Health, 1968, 16, 342.
Anderson, R. J., Brit. dent. J., 1966, 120, 271.
Anderson, G. and Grensfelt, P., IVL, Gothenburg B, 1973, 138.
| Description of Area |
Source |
Concentration /microg/m3 |
| Atmosphere [1] |
|
<0 - 0.03 |
| Industrial UK [2] |
Air borne ash |
10 - 40 |
| Industrial UK [3] |
Light heating oil |
0.1 |
| Industrial UK [3] |
Heavy heating oil |
0.5 |
| Rural Sweden [4] |
Moss |
1.0 |
| Industrial Sweden [4] |
Moss |
7.6 |
| Heavy industrial Sweden [4] |
Moss |
400 |
| Steel works Sweden [4] |
Moss |
560 |
| Urban USA [5] |
|
10 - 30 |
| Uninhabited USA [5] |
|
0.1 - 3.2 |
| Municipal waste [6] |
Mo(CO)6 in landfill gas |
0.2 - 0.3 |
[1] Sullivan, R. J., Pollution Aspects of Chromium and its Compounds, 1969, Technical Report, Litton Systems Inc., Environmental Systems Division, Bethesda, Md. (Quoted in Schroeder, H. A., Balassa, J. J. and Tipton, I. H., J. Chronic Dis., 1970, 23, 481).
[2] Smith, A. C., J. Appl. Chem., 1958, 8, 636.
[3] Anderson, G., Grensfelt, P., IVL, Gothenburg B, 1973, 138.
(Quoted in J. Lener and B. Bibr, J. Hygiene, Epidemiology, Microbiol. and Immunol., 1984, 28, 405).
[4] Lindan, L., and Sundderg, K., SNV PM, 1974, 428.
(Quoted in J. Lener and B. Bibr, J. Hygiene, Epidemiology, Microbiol. and Immunol., 1984, 28, 405).
[5] Air Quality Data, National Air sampling Network, Ed. 1966, US DHEW, Public Health service.
[6] Feldmann, J., Cullen, W.R..,Occurrence of volatile transition metal compounds in landfill gas: Synthesis of molybdenum and Tungsten carbonyls in the environment, Environmental Science & Technology, 1997, 31, 2125-2129.
Mo in ambient air urban areas 0.01 – 0.03 microg Mo/m3
Rural areas 0.001 – 0.0032
Schroeder, H.A., A sensible look at air pollution by metals, Arch. Environ. Health, 1970, 21, 798 – 806.
Concentrations of molybdenum and other metals were determined in ambient air as part of an ongoing air-quality monitoring programme.the mass concentrations and metals speciation of ambient aerosols collected in Oxford, OH were compared with those collected in three urban centers (Cincinnati, Middletown, and Hamilton) in the Greater Cincinnati region. PM2.5 particles (< 2.5 microm) typically originates from the combustion of fossil fuels for power and transportation and from manufacturing processes. The mean PM2.5, PM10 and TSP mass concentrations (microg m-3) of the samples collected in 2005 in Oxfordwere: PM2.5, 15.6±8.1, PM10, 16.2±7.3; TSP, 37.0±7.8. The PM2.5 contributed 95% to PM10 and 60% to TSP (total suspended solids). Arsenic, antimony, cobalt, and lead were predominantly contained in PM2.5; cadmium, chromium, iron, nickel, molybdenum, silicon, vanadium, and zinc in PM10.. Since these metals are typically associated with anthropogenic metals emissions (traffic, combustion of fossil fuels, industry) and it was expected that these metals would be present in the smaller particle size ranges.
Wojas, B. and Almquist, C., Mass concentrations and metals speciation of PM2.5, PM10, and total suspended solids in Oxford, Ohio and comparison with those from metropolitan sites in the Greater Cincinnati region, Atmospheric Environment, 2007, 41, 9064-9078.
Molybdenum atmospheric deposition in mosses
The deposition of manganese, molybdenum and
nickel in the county of Obrenovac (Serbia) in four moss taxa (Bryum argenteum, Bryum capillare,
Brachythecium sp., and Hypnum cupressiforme) is presented. The distribution
of average heavy metal content in all mosses in the county of Obrenovac is
presented on maps, while the long-term atmospheric deposition (in the mosses Bryum argenteum and B. capillare) and short term atmospheric deposition (in the mosses Brachythecium sp. and Hypnum cupressiforme) are discussed and
given in tabular form. Areas of the highest contaminations are highlighted
