Resumo. Abstract: Aim Man-made reservoirs lead to several changes in their downstream rivers that depend on the hydraulic characteristics of the reservoirs. However, their multiple uses can also provide facilities that influence the ecosystem services that they provide. This study addressed the potential ability of a Neotropical reservoir to trap chemical species aiming to assess the role of these ecosystems to mitigate pollution. Methods Retention capability modeling was examined for a small subtropical reservoir with high hydraulic retention time (> 100 days). The temporal ranges of 9 physical and chemical water variables over a five-year period were used to calculate the mass balance and to determine the retentive capability (alpha parameter) of the Itupararanga Reservoir (São Paulo State, Brazil). To explain the long-term mass balance of these variables, it was assumed that the reservoir is a completely mixed system with a step input. Results The highest values of parametrized alpha (high retention capability) occurred in wet months (up to 500 mm) for all variables. High reaction rate constants (k) and low hydraulic flushing suggested that sink processes prevail over the export ones, mainly for total phosphorus. The rainfall pattern showed minor importance for trapping elements. Conclusions In the Neotropics, hydraulic characteristics of the ecosystem (e.g., low area:volume ratio) are a tool for pollution management in man-made reservoirs.