Multi-Faceted Environmental Analysis to Improve the Quality of Anthropogenic Water Reservoirs (Paprocany Reservoir Case Study)

Abstract

Maintaining good condition of dam reservoirs in urban areas seems increasingly important due to their valuable role in mitigating the effects of global warming. The aim of this study is to analyze possibilities to improve water quality and ecosystem condition of the Paprocany dam reservoir (highly urbanized area of southern Poland) using current data of the water parameters, historical sources, and DPSIR (Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response) and 3D modeling concerning human activity and the global warming effects. In its history Paprocany reservoir overcame numerous hydrotechnical changes influencing its present functioning. Also, its current state is significantly influenced by saline water from the coal mine (5 g L−1 of chlorides and sulphates) and biogenic elements in recreational area (about 70 mg L−1 of chlorate and to 1.9 mg L−1 Kjeldahl nitrogen) and in sediments (222.66 Mg of Kjeldahl nitrogen, 45.65 Mg of P, and 1.03 Mg of assimilable phosphorus). Concluding, the best solutions to improve the Paprocany reservoir water quality comprise: increasing alimentation with water and shortening the water exchange time, restoration of the 19th century water treatment plant, and wetlands and reed bed area revitalization. The study also proved the applicability of mathematical models in planning of the actions and anticipating their efficiency.

Synthetic Analysis of Thematic Studies towards Determining the Recreational Potential of Anthropogenic Reservoirs

“…Reservoirs of anthropogenic origin, apart from their recreational functions, are of economic importance, e.g., they secure the supply of usable water and are essential for agriculture or industry, as well as for flood protection. They also perform other important functions related to biodiversity creation and preservation, pollution disposal, microclimate formation, carbon bonding or recreation [24], which are referred to as ecosystem services provided for people.…”

Modeling and Monitoring of Hydrodynamics and Surface Water Quality in the Sulejów Dam Reservoir, Poland

“…As a diagnostic tool, it permits the abstraction of highly complex real-life conditions. As a predictive tool, mathematical modeling permits the forecasting and evaluation of the effects of changes in the surrounding environment on water quality [81,82]. Although engineering insights and political and socioeconomic concerns play important roles in water resource management, some water quality problems are of such a highly complex nature that the predictive capability of mathematical models provides the only real means for screening the myriad number of management alternatives.…”

Impounding Reservoirs, Benefits and Risks: A Review of Environmental and Technical Aspects of Construction and Operation

“…R16-Negative impact on the richness of the ecosystem and river water temperature. [115][116][117][118][119][120] The analyses concern 1 large and 4 small reservoirs in Europe. In addition, publication [116] reviews based on a large dataset.…”

“…The stratification phenomenon already mentioned adversely affects the quality of the water in the reservoir, but can also cause cold and deoxygenated hypolimnion waters to escape from the reservoir, disrupting the optimal physicochemical parameters of the river [113]. The risk of negative impacts is also present during the construction phase and the initial filling of the facility's canopy, and if the water stays in the reservoir for too long, i.e., stagnant or significantly delayed runoff [114,115].…”