Milk minerals in cow milk with special reference to elevated calcium and its radiological implications

Context: In Kudankulam, the South Eastern tip of India, a nuclear power station is under construction. Various studies have been carried out around this project site; however, there is no literature pertaining to the minerals in cow milk samples in this region. Further, various minerals in cow milk are analogs of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides and a study on stable elements would help to assess the behavior of their radioactive counterparts. Materials and Methods: Milk samples ( n = 25) from the study area were analyzed for macro-minerals (potassium [K], magnesium [Mg] and calcium [Ca]) and micro-minerals (zinc [Zn], copper [Cu] and manganese [Mn]) using a Z5000 series Hitachi atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The performance of the method was evaluated by using an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reference material, i.e., the fish tissue homogenate (IAEA-407). Results: The concentration values of major and trace minerals in the milk samples were in the order Ca > K > Mg and Zn > Cu > Mn, respectively. Conclusion: The high-water Ca levels and the prevailing tropical semi-arid climatic conditions seem to be the reasons for the high-Ca levels observed in the investigated milk samples. A CaCO3 bed is present in this area and lime is being excavated by cement industries and it is also evident from the literature that elevated Ca levels would have an immense impact on the levels of natural and fall out radionuclides in cow milk.