Molybdenosis: A Potential Problem in Ruminants Grazing on Coal Mine Spoils

Abstract

Highlight: Copper-to-molybdenum ratios in all but two sweetclover samples collected on spoil at eight coal mines in the Northern Great Piains ranged from 0.449 to 51. Ratios of 51 or less in forage are reported to cause moiybdenosis, a nutritional disease occurring in molybdic regions of the world. Therefore, if the major forage on coalmine spoils is sweetclover or other species with similar Cu:Mo ratios, molybdenosis may be expected to occur in cattle and sheep grazing in these areas.

Baseline risk assessment of ground water contamination at the uranium mill tailings site near Salt Lake City, Utah. Revision 1

“…Generally, 2 t o 5 mg/kg of molybdenum in vegetation represents the upper level of tolerance for these animals (Erdman et al, 1978). The potential impact of molybdenum on cattle and sheep is discussed in more detail in Section 7.4.…”

“…The estimated concentration in the ditch exceeds the limits (2 t o 5 mg/kg) of molybdenum in forage that can be tolerated by cattle (Erdman et ai., 1978). The negative effects of molybdenum can be offset if the ratio of copper t o molybdenum is at least 2 t o 1 (Erdman et al, 1978). However, the copper-to-molybdenum ratio at the site is unknown at present.…”

Molybdenum

“…The condition also developed worldwide after anthropogenic pollution with molybdenum on coal mine spoils (Erdman 1978) and uranium-bearing lignites (Stone et al 1983).…”

Plant Analysis: A Measure of Successful Reclamation

“…Erdman et al (1978) identified leguminous species growing on mine spoils of a southeastern Montana coal mine as having Cu to Mo ratios less than 2:1. Munshower andNeuman (1978a, 1978b) also point out that low Cu status is typical of both native vegetation and plants growing on reclaimed coal spoils.…”