Cattle soil ingestion

The transfer of PBBs from soil to plants is so low, e.g., Table III and References (6,29), that the only important issue In the agricultural scenario appears to be soli ingestion (and possibly ingestion of groundwater) by cattle. Based on an estimated half-life, tj/2> in beef of 120 days (30) an estimated mass of fat per animal, M, of 67 kg and a soil Ingestion rate, Mg, of 0.72 kg/day (31), a reasonably conservative soll-to-fat bioconcentration factor can be obtained ... 

In the field, soil can sometimes be a significant source of contamination. For example, in areas of mineralisation, heavy metals may occur naturally at elevated levels in soils. If there has been mining activity in the past this can exacerbate the problem by the spreading of mine spoil at the surface. Animals, particularly cattle, which tend to tug at forage rather than biting it, can ingest significant amounts of soil and metals can accumulate in tissues such as the liver. Plants may also take up elements from the soil that can accumulate in... 

Farm animals are exposed to PCDD/F via the ingestion of contaminated forage, grains and soil. Owing to its high lipophilicity, dioxin readily bioaccumulates in cattle and has been detected in beef, milk and dairy products. Several studies point out that meat and dairy products account for up to 60% of the total daily human intake of PCDD/Fs in industrialized nations.39,46 PCDD/F levels in beef... 

The cattle grazing in the river flood plains is exposed to three sources of heavy metals in the diet the drinking (river) water, the herbage and the ingested soil particles. Contribution of drinking water is less than 1% of the total heavy metal intake. The contribution of the contaminated grass and soil particles, however, is quite significant for the daily intake of As, Cd,... 

Ingest contaminated soil. The magnitude of this potential exposure is the major factor in the 1 ppb action criterion set for contaminated sites in Missouri (11). Grazing cattle ingest soil and accumulate PCDD in fat. Fish and other aquatic animals accumulate dioxin from water, sediment, or food sources. 

Food ingestion can also certainly play a prominent role. Grazing herbivores, such as cattle or horse, may ingest contaminated soil particles along with the grass. However, since the roe deer is essentially a browser, this form of lead intake is probably unimportant. 

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