Composición mineral del agua de bebida en sistemas de producción lechera en Córdoba, Argentina Mineral composition of livestock drinking water in dairy farms (Cordoba, Argentina)

Dairy cattle drinking water in 28 medium and small farms located in the southeast of Cordoba province, Argentina, was analyzed in order to assess its benefi cial and adverse effect in milk production. Total dissolved solids (TDS), major ions, nitrates and trace metals were quantifi ed by standardized methods. Water from the phreatic level is used in 62% of the selected farms, being its quality lower than that provided by deeper wells. Sodium chloride and sulfur requirements are provided by drinking water. Arse- nic, fl uoride and vanadium concentrations found in all phreatic samples are higher than the maximum allowed values recom- mended at international level.