Hydrochemistry of an ancient traditional irrigation reservoir in Padaviya,Sri Lanka

Padaviya Wewa Reservoir constructed in 2nd century BC is an important traditional reservoir in Sri Lanka. The construction and the use of these traditional Sri Lankan reservoirs are different from modern large-scale hydroelectric and multi-purpose reservoirs in Sri Lanka and the rest of the world. The hydrochemistry of these unique water bodies has been rarely studied and understood. In this study, depth-wise distribution of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd, and As and their correlation with pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, temperature, BOD, COD, and total phosphate were investigated to identify the mechanisms that drive the water quality in Padaviya Wewa Reservoir. There is a well distinguishable chemical gradient from the surface to the bottom of the water column suggesting that Padaviya is not a well-mixed water body even though the maximum water depth during the study period was 4.75 m. There was a strong negative correlation between Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cd and DO in both surface and bottom waters. In addition, a strong positive correlation between Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd, and As, and total phosphate was observed in bottom waters. The suggested driving force behind the depth-wise distribution of chemical species is intense biological activities in the reservoir. The weak thermal stratification is strengthened by photosynthesis at the surface waters and organic matter degradation at bottom of the reservoir. The end-result of these biological activities are oxygen rich surface waters with low concentrations of nutrients and metal ions and oxygen depleted bottom waters with higher concentrations of nutrients and metal ions.