PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
The Classic Maya (c. 250 to 900 CE) in the tropical southern lowlands of Central America dealt with water scarcity during annual dry seasons and periods of climate instability via sophisticated urban reservoir systems they relied on for over a thousand years. Surface water is limited because typically rain percolates through the karstic terrain. I posit that Maya reservoirs functioned as do constructed wetlands (CWs) at present. Still-water systems like CWs and Maya reservoirs can become stagnant and nonpotable due to the build-up of nutrients that promote algal growth. Stagnant waters also serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes that spread endemic diseases. CWs keep water clean via certain aquatic plants since all plants uptake nutrients (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorus) and decomposing plant matter supports microbial biofilms that break down nutrients. CWs also support diverse zooplankton that prey on pathogens and bacteria that assist to denitrify water. CWs do not require the use of chemicals or fossil fuels and after the initial labor-intensive output become self-cleaning and self-sufficient with some maintenance. I posit that the Maya used a diverse array of aquatic plants and other biota to keep water clean in the same manner as do CWs, which I demonstrate using evidence from excavations and settlement maps, sediment cores and current wetlands, and the iconographic and hieroglyphic records. The next step is to combine what we know about ancient Maya reservoirs in conjunction with what is currently known about CWs to better address future water needs.
摘要：
经典玛雅人（c.250至900CE）在中美洲的热带南部低地，在每年的干旱季节和气候不稳定时期，通过他们赖以生存的复杂的城市水库系统解决了缺水问题。地表水是有限的，因为通常雨水会渗入岩溶地形。我认为玛雅水库目前的功能与人工湿地（CW）相同。由于促进藻类生长的营养物质的积累，像CW和Maya水库这样的静水系统可能变得停滞和不可饮用。停滞水域也是传播地方病的蚊子的滋生地。CW通过某些水生植物保持水清洁，因为所有植物都吸收养分(例如，氮，磷）和分解植物物质支持分解养分的微生物生物膜。CW还支持各种浮游动物，这些浮游动物捕食有助于反硝化水的病原体和细菌。CW不需要使用化学品或化石燃料，并且在最初的劳动密集型输出之后，通过一些维护变得自我清洁和自给自足。我认为玛雅人使用各种各样的水生植物和其他生物群来保持水的清洁，我用挖掘和定居点地图上的证据证明了这一点，沉积物岩心和当前的湿地，以及图像和象形文字记录。下一步是将我们对古代玛雅水库的了解与目前对CW的了解相结合，以更好地满足未来的水需求。
