Impact of COVID-19 induced lockdown and unlock down phases on the ambient air quality of Delhi, capital city of India

The present study deals with the impact of the pandemic outbreak of COVID-19 on the ambient air quality in the capital city of India. Real-time data were collected from eight continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations measuring important air quality parameters (NO2, PM10 and PM2.5). Results...

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Published inUrban climate Vol. 39; p. 100945
Main Authors Pandey, Mayank, George, M.P., Gupta, R.K., Gusain, Deepak, Dwivedi, Atul
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Elsevier B.V 01.09.2021
Subjects
Air quality
COVID-19
Delhi
Nitrogen dioxide
Particulate matter
COVID-19
Delhi
Air quality
Nitrogen dioxide
Particulate matter
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Summary:The present study deals with the impact of the pandemic outbreak of COVID-19 on the ambient air quality in the capital city of India. Real-time data were collected from eight continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations measuring important air quality parameters (NO2, PM10 and PM2.5). Results revealed that the city's air quality had improved significantly during the lockdown period due to COVID-19 outbreak. The concentration of gaseous and particulate matter during the lockdown period (March–May 2020) declined significantly compared with the preceding years' data from the same timeframe. However, the ambient air quality deteriorates with the onset of unlocking phases and post-monsoon season (October 2020). Higher concentration of NO2, PM10 and PM2.5 were recorded at industrial (S1 and S2) and hotspot (S4 and S5) sites. The lowest concentrations of studied pollutants were observed during the first phase of lockdown (March 24 – May 14, 2020). The present study, once again, establishes the direct effect of anthropogenic activities and deteriorating ambient air quality of Delhi. [Display omitted] •Impact of Covid-19 induced lockdown and unlock down period on the ambient air quality has been depicted.•Variation in the concentration of NO2, PM10 and PM2.5 has been observed during lockdown and unlock down phases.•Reduction in gaseous pollutant and particulate matter concentration has been observed during Covid-19 induced lockdown.•Concentration of pollutants begin to rise with unlock phases.
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ISSN:2212-0955
2212-0955
DOI:10.1016/j.uclim.2021.100945