IMPACTS of COVID-19 on THE ENVIRONMENT (original) (raw)
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Impact of Covid-19 on the environment
Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences
The COVID-19 pandemic had scarcely made an impact on the world as of the beginning of 2020, although it has quickly spread over the universe since it was first detected in early December 2019. By mid-March 2021, the COVID-19 had practically hit every country on the earth. As a primary precaution to prevent the spread of disease and mortality, some nations have implemented quarantines and the suspension of many activities. The termination of these activities has resulted in significant economic losses. However, it has been widely reported that these steps have improved air quality, particularly in highly polluted areas with considerable populations and industrial activity. Worldwide reports and verification of lower carbon, nitrogen, sulphur, and particulate matter emissions have been made in relation with shutdown times. On the other hand, it has been revealed that ozone levels in the ambient air have increased, owing mostly to lower nitrogen emissions. Furthermore, it has been claimed that natural water resources have higher water quality. Wastewater treatment plants have reported an increase in organic load with persistent chemicals as a result of increased use of sanitizers, disinfectants, and antibiotics. In general, the qualitative and quantitative volumes of solid waste, created as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, have both increased. This study presents and summarises the environmental impacts of COVID-19 as recorded in the literature for various countries throughout the world, which provides a comprehensive perspective of the COVID-19's environmental consequences.
COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on the environment: A global perspective
Narra J, 2022
Many researchers worldwide have focused on the health impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic without paying much emphasis to the environmental impacts associated with the pandemic. Evidence suggests that prior to the pandemic there was an alarming increase in environmental pollution due to rising industrialization, in particular in urban areas. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, satellite data over Asia and Europe showed a substantial decrease in air pollution, in particular nitrogen dioxide. However, the increase in industrial and household wastes may pose a significant challenge to environmental management. The improper management of these wastes poses an unforeseen “knock-on” effect on human health and the environment. It is imperative to establish an effective and safe procedure, for handling and disposing of the consequential wastes accumulating during the pandemic. The review aims to highlight both the beneficial and detrimental effects of COVID-19 pandemic...
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF COVID-19 OUTBREAK
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science, 2020
In December 2019, a new class of an infectious disease known as SARS-CoV-2 was discovered in Wuhan, China, which was later named COVID-19 and declared a pandemic between February and March 2020 by the “World Health Organization” (WHO) due to its speedy spread across the world. Many countries were forced into an emergency lockdown which was adopted as a measure to curtail the widespread of the virus and also as a means of mitigation. As the lockdown continues globally, which affects transportation and industrial activities, there were speculations that the earth is gradually recovering from degradation and air pollution; mainly from the release of greenhouse gases. These speculations were confirmed to be accurate according to the reports from various space agencies such as NASA and ESA, which shows a significant advancement in air quality across Europe, Asia and the USA, which can be credited to a decline in nitrous oxide emission resulting from the COVID-19 lockdown. Although, not all the environmental consequences of the crisis have been positive, as it was confirmed by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) that the quantities of non-recyclable waste have gone up; harsh cuts in agricultural and fishery export levels have led to the production of large amounts of organic waste and maintenance, and even the supervision of usual ecosystems have been momentarily suspended as a consequence of the lockdown. There were also confirmed reports of historic assault being waged on the Amazon rainforest due to the lockdown. This study composed the environmental records released from different organizations such as NASA, ESA and UNCTAD which highlight the positive and the negative impacts of COVID-19 outbreak on the quality of the environment.
Environmental impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
Microsphere
The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the environment garnered attention from the outset of the crisis, with observations and studies of immediate repercussions as well as long-term forecasts. Year 2020 has been billed a "Super Year for Nature" in a variety of conversations on environmental issues. Epidemics and even pandemics are influenced by a variety of biological variables, which can result in a variety of environmental feedbacks. The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was designated a pandemic on March 11, 2020, and its quick onset, vast geographic spread, and complex implications make it a once-in-ageneration global calamity. The COVID-19 pandemic had a wide range of environmental repercussions by in the year 2020, both beneficial and harmful, such as air and water quality improvements in metropolitan areas and disastrous contamination owing to the disposal of biomedical and organic waste that piled up during this period. This review presents a summary of the ...
Assessing the Environmental Impacts of COVID-19; A Review
Polish Journal of Environmental Studies
The coronavirus outbreak firstly emerged from Wuhan, the economic hub of Hubei province, China, and within a short period, it appeared as a global threat. In response to the outbreak, COVID-19 has been declared as a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) on January 30, 2020. To contain the virus, the governments of the Coronavirus affected countries enforced lockdowns to ensure social distancing among the people. Additionally, people have been asked to use hand sanitizers, face masks, and gloves, etc. to prevent the effect of the disease. The lockdowns and excessive utilization of medical supplies around the globe has resulted in numerous positive and negative ecological impacts. Therefore, this study aims to review the existing literature on the environmental effects of COVID-19.
Repercussions of Covid-19 on Environment: Blessings or Curse
CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research - Zenodo, 2022
Unambiguously, Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) is one of the deadliest pandemics with an approximate death toll of 4310970 people over more than 220 countries till now. To tackle this difficult situation, many countries have ascribed lockdown so that the aggression of this lethal disease somewhat lessens. Circumstantially, the Bangladeshi government imposed an overall lockdown during April-May 2020 and a nationwide shutdown from July 1 to August 10, 2021, by constricting people's activity with complete or partial closure. A thorough study will show how the air and water waste has been diminished during and after the Covid-19 lockdown. Explicitly, maintaining this prolonged success, will be manifested the negative impact of Mask, PPE, sanitizing bottle pollution, the enhancement of plastic pollution and how can we restrain this before and after Covid-19. This restricted lockdown act exhibits a commendable influence on the entire environment of Bangladesh, especially Dhaka. According to the reports of the Department of Environment and Air Quality Monitoring Station of the U.S. Embassy, Dhaka; Air Quality Index (AQI) has improved during the lockdown from the city with the worst air quality. According to the DOE report, AQI of Dhaka was 164 on 1 May 2021 which is considered to be unhygienic according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Contrarily, on 1 July 2021 (during lockdown), the AQI was 115 and AQI is currently 106 (according to US Consulate) and which is in the "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" range. According to EPA, 5 major pollutants are responsible for air pollution and they are PM2.5, O3, SO2, CO and NO2. DOE report distinguishes concentration of PM2.5-24hr and CO-8hr on 18 February, 2021 was 224.28 µg/m3 and 2.25 ppm respectively but on 18 April, 2021 the concentration of PM2.5-24hr and CO-8hr value was 94.12 µg/m3 and 1.51 ppm respectively. So, the pollutant concentration value has also decreased. The chronological study depicts that air quality has certainly improved due to the complete closure of industries and this lockdown is imposed due to Covid-19, creating a good impact on the environment. In a nutshell, medical equipment like masks, PPE, sanitizer bottles, and online package delivery waste are thrown here and there. For this reason, drain water is clogging but the overall impact is vast because the marine biodiversity entity is at stake. Masks and PPE do not dissolve and resulting in aquatic creature entanglement, violating the integrity of the ecosystem.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2021
This review paper discusses the most relevant impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the environment. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) originated in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease has infected 70 million people and caused the death of 1.58 million people since the US Food and Drug Administration issued an Emergency Use Authorization to develop a vaccine to prevent COVID-19 on December 11, 2020. COVID-19 is a global crisis that has impacted everything directly connected with human beings, including the environment. This review discusses the impacts of COVID-19 on the environment during the pandemic and post-COVID-19 era. During the first months of the COVID pandemic, global coal, oil, gas, and electricity demands declined by 8%, 5%, 2%, and 20%, respectively, relative to 2019. Stay-at-home orders in countries increased the concentrations of particles in indoor environments while decreasing the concentrations of PM 2.5 and NO X in outdoor environments. Remotely working in response to the COVID-19 pandemic increased the carbon, water, and land footprints of Internet usage. Microplastics are released into our environment from the mishandling and mismanagement of personal protective equipment that endanger our water, soils, and sediments. Since the COVID-19 vaccine cannot be stored for a long time and spoils rapidly, more awareness of the massive waste of unused doses is needed. So COVID-19 is a doubleedged sword for the environment.
EFFECTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND PROPOSALS FOR SUSTAINABLE STRATEGIES
Review on Agriculture and Rural Development, 2021
The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) first occurred in late December 2019 at the Hunan Seafood Market in Wuhan, China, and was declared an international public health emergency in a matter of weeks by the World Health Organization. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) affects every area of human life, including the environment. Measures taken to control the spread of the virus and the slowdown in economic activities have significant positive effects on the environment. Through this study, the authors intend to track the impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on the environment by analyzing the available scientific literature. The study indicates that the pandemic situation significantly improves air quality in various cities around the world, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, reduces water pollution and noise, and reduces pressure on tourist destinations, which can help restore ecological systems. It is noted that there are some negative consequences of the pandemic, such as the increase in medical waste through the use and disposal of disinfectants, masks and gloves but also the burden of untreated waste that endangers the environment continuously. It seems that shortly after the pandemic the economic activities will return and the situation could change. Therefore, this study highlights the potential positive impacts of the pandemic on the environment in the long-term. It is expected that the correct implementation of the proposed strategies can be useful for the global sustainability of the environment.
COVID-19 pandemic and its positive impacts on environment: an updated review
International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 2020
In December, 2019 in Wuhan city of China, a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has garnered global attention due to its rapid transmission. World Health Organization (WHO) termed the infection as Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) after phylogenic studies with SARS-CoV. The virus causes severe respiratory infections with dry cough, high fever, body ache and fatigue. The virus is primarily transmitted among people through respiratory droplets from COVID-19 infected person. WHO declared this COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic and since February, 2020 affected countries have locked down their cities, industries and restricted the movement of their citizens to minimize the spread of the virus. In spite of the negative aspects of coronavirus on the globe, the coronavirus crises brought a positive impact on the natural environment. Countries where the movement of citizens was seized to stop the spread of coronavirus infection have experienced a noticeable decline in pollution and greenhouse gases emission. Recent research also indicated that this COVID-19-induced lockdown has reduced the environmental pollution drastically worldwide. In this review, we have discussed some important positive impacts of coronavirus on environmental quality by compiling the recently published data from research articles, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and ESA (European Space Agency).
Assessing the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on the environment: A correlation or causation?
Global Journal of Ecology, 2020
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted human lives, human activities, and the world economy. In response to curb its spread, pandemic risk reduction measures such as mass lockdowns, extensive travel bans, and mass quarantine were imposed globally. While the imposition of these measures has negatively impacted the world economy, its impacts on the environment could be described as a gain, as the ecosystem appears to be given a rebirth. During the mass lockdown (February to April 2020), air pollution worldwide has dropped signifi cantly precisely, with a decline in the emission and concentration of pollutants. The emission of CO 2 globally declined by 8.8% during the fi rst half of 2020. Additionally, both surface and underground water quality have been improved due to reduced industrial activities. Also, there has been an increase in carbon sink due to the decline in global bush fi res. In a nutshell, the study recommends that as the world economy recovers from the impact of COVID-19, world leaders and policymakers should focus on measures that improve the environment and the ecosystem, such as the adoption of the green economy, production and use of fuel cells cars instead of gasoline cars and treating industrial effl uents to WHO recommended levels before discharging them into water bodies.