Molybdenum (Mo)

Atomic number:	42
Atomic weight:	95.94
Average concentration in ocean:	100 nmol/kg
Residence time:	760,000 years

Distribution in ocean
Dissolved molybdenum has a conservative distribution in the ocean. Concentrations are uniform vertically and horizontally (data).

Speciation
Dissolved molybdenum exists as the molybdate (MoO₄^2-) anion in seawater.

Residence time
The molybdenum residence time is from Sohrin et al. (1998). It was calculated from the global average river input.

Analysis
Molybdate is determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry or inductively coupled mass spectrometry after preconcentration with an anion exchange resin.

References