Groundwater quality and vulnerability in farms from agricultural-dairy basin of the Argentine Pampas

Agricultural and livestock activities strongly influence groundwater quality and conditioning its use as water supply in rural areas. The aim was to determine the quality and suitability of the groundwater supply used in dairy farms of an agricultural area of Pampa plain of Cordoba (Argentina). Piper's diagram showed that the groundwater types were sodium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate-chloride, sodium chloride-sulfate, and sodium sulfate. Physicochemical parameters revealed that cations and anions showed a high and significant correlation in water samples, indicating a strong water-rock interaction. Nitrate (NO3-) content was significantly correlated with pH, water well depth, and distance from contamination sources. A high positive correlation between arsenic (As) and bicarbonate, sulfate, sodium, and chloride (p < 0.05) indicates a similar origin. Among the pesticides monitored, 2,4-D was detected in 25% of groundwater samples (0.4 to 0.8 mu g/L) coinciding with the ordinary application practices. In general, most of the groundwater samples did not comply with national and international regulations for drinking water and dairy hygiene, due to the high content of As, NO3-, bacteria, and the presence of 2,4-D herbicide. However, the quality of water was suitable for livestock drink. The data obtained in this study contribute to a better understanding of the contamination processes taking place and improve the agricultural and livestock management for an efficient use of this resource by dairy farmers.

Automated summary

This study investigated the quality and suitability of groundwater supply used in dairy farms in the Pampa plain of Cordoba, Argentina. It identified contamination issues in the groundwater and made recommendations to improve agricultural and livestock management.