154
R. S. Sharma et al.
Fig. 6.8 Changes in concentration of PM2.5, PM10, CO, NO 2 , SO 2, and O 3 in 41 cities in the
YRD during January 1st to Mar 31st, 2020 (Source [36])
of SO 2 in comparison to 2019. This was due to consumption of coal in the power
plants. Similar to SO 2, the O 3 concentration decreased in comparison to 2019, while
it increased by 10% when compared with the average of the last three years (Fig. 6.9).
Few countries in Europe started the count of COVID-19 from the mid of January.
A country of Europe that was severely struck with this pandemic is Spain with 28,445
numbers of casualties till date. The lockdown in Spain came late into enforcement
(March, 14, 2020) due to which it saw a very large number of cases. Following the
similar pattern like other major countries under lockdown, the concentration of major
air pollutants came to a sharp decline as recorded in various studies. In a study done
by Baldasano [4] in the 2 biggest cities of Spain (Barcelona and Madrid) saw that the
concentration of NO 2 fell by an average of 53% during the first week of lockdown
and reductions of 62% was observed in the second week.
6.3.2 Water Pollution
Genesis of life occurred on water and therefore is considered the most important
element of life for every living creature on earth, while other planets in the solar
system do not possess water that is why they are not proficient in origin of life.
R. S. Sharma et al.
Fig. 6.8 Changes in concentration of PM2.5, PM10, CO, NO 2 , SO 2, and O 3 in 41 cities in the
YRD during January 1st to Mar 31st, 2020 (Source [36])
of SO 2 in comparison to 2019. This was due to consumption of coal in the power
plants. Similar to SO 2, the O 3 concentration decreased in comparison to 2019, while
it increased by 10% when compared with the average of the last three years (Fig. 6.9).
Few countries in Europe started the count of COVID-19 from the mid of January.
A country of Europe that was severely struck with this pandemic is Spain with 28,445
numbers of casualties till date. The lockdown in Spain came late into enforcement
(March, 14, 2020) due to which it saw a very large number of cases. Following the
similar pattern like other major countries under lockdown, the concentration of major
air pollutants came to a sharp decline as recorded in various studies. In a study done
by Baldasano [4] in the 2 biggest cities of Spain (Barcelona and Madrid) saw that the
concentration of NO 2 fell by an average of 53% during the first week of lockdown
and reductions of 62% was observed in the second week.
6.3.2 Water Pollution
Genesis of life occurred on water and therefore is considered the most important
element of life for every living creature on earth, while other planets in the solar
system do not possess water that is why they are not proficient in origin of life.