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R. S. Sharma et al.
Nepal) which solely rely on ecosystem services [51]. Industrial discharge (waterwaste) is one of the major causes for irreversible ecosystem degradation [3] hence;
several countries around the world are struggling to form effective laws to control
the industrial discharge into their ecosystem.
Lockdown was quite helpful in revival of water resources by reducing both direct
and indirect sources of water pollution. Direct source of water pollution includes
effluents, wastewater released from factories, refineries, sewage treatment plants, etc.,
that releases fluids directly into the water bodies [13]. The indirect source consists
of contaminants that enter in water supply through groundwater systems or from
the atmosphere directly through rain. Sources for groundwater contaminants are
the improperly disposed industrial wastes, residues of human/agricultural practices
(pesticide, fertilizers, etc.); atmospheric pollutants are also the consequence of human
practices such as emission of gasses from factories, automobiles, burning of plastic
products, etc. [62]. Due to worldwide lockdown, most of the industries were closed
and if open they were manufactured with lower demand, which directly affects the
amount of contaminated water discharged by these industries as their byproducts
and this directly saves our surface water resources. About 70% of industrial effluent
directly adds up to the drinking water resources in developing countries because
of the lack of funds and contribution toward water pollution but due to COVID-19
outbreak, water sources have once again started to clean out effectively.
According to Selvam et al. [57] the quality of groundwater in Tuticorin industrial city (South India) with reference to the concentration of NO 3 , As, Fe, Pb, Se,
fecal coliforms, and total coliforms has improved throughout the lockdown period
of COVID-19 and this decrease in the levels of pollution was due to measures
taken to restrict the anthropogenic activities and closure of several small- and largescale industries. Yunus et al. [70] reported that the longest freshwater lake of India
(Vembanad lake), the concentration of suspended particulate matter has decreased
by 15.9% on average during this period as compared to pre-lockdown conditions
(Fig. 6.10), this decrease was noticed in 18 out of 20 zones of the lake and also
stated that pollution from industrial wastes and tourism had severely damaged water
quality and lake ecosystem. Water pollution was directly associated with the health
of an individual and the common pollutants present in the water bodies, as industrial
waste had a differential impact on the overall health outcomes of the society and
these effects were mainly harsh on low-income respondents [67]. A sudden fall in
the concentration of dissolved zinc and other heavy metal was observed in the coastal
region of the maritime state of West Bengal during lockdown phase in April [1].
The entire world is showing some positive environmental impact due to COVID19 outbreak; the lagoon of Venice has always got affected by anthropogenic stress but
when the lockdown was enforced in Italy the water jam around Venice stopped leading
to a reduction in suspended matters and hence transparency of water increased. The
high water transparency is because of the combined effects of both COVID-19 restrictions (Fig. 6.11) and natural seasonal factors [6]. Chinese government advised its
water treatment plant to strengthen its disinfection routine to prevent new coronavirus
infection spreading through wastewater [72].
R. S. Sharma et al.
Nepal) which solely rely on ecosystem services [51]. Industrial discharge (waterwaste) is one of the major causes for irreversible ecosystem degradation [3] hence;
several countries around the world are struggling to form effective laws to control
the industrial discharge into their ecosystem.
Lockdown was quite helpful in revival of water resources by reducing both direct
and indirect sources of water pollution. Direct source of water pollution includes
effluents, wastewater released from factories, refineries, sewage treatment plants, etc.,
that releases fluids directly into the water bodies [13]. The indirect source consists
of contaminants that enter in water supply through groundwater systems or from
the atmosphere directly through rain. Sources for groundwater contaminants are
the improperly disposed industrial wastes, residues of human/agricultural practices
(pesticide, fertilizers, etc.); atmospheric pollutants are also the consequence of human
practices such as emission of gasses from factories, automobiles, burning of plastic
products, etc. [62]. Due to worldwide lockdown, most of the industries were closed
and if open they were manufactured with lower demand, which directly affects the
amount of contaminated water discharged by these industries as their byproducts
and this directly saves our surface water resources. About 70% of industrial effluent
directly adds up to the drinking water resources in developing countries because
of the lack of funds and contribution toward water pollution but due to COVID-19
outbreak, water sources have once again started to clean out effectively.
According to Selvam et al. [57] the quality of groundwater in Tuticorin industrial city (South India) with reference to the concentration of NO 3 , As, Fe, Pb, Se,
fecal coliforms, and total coliforms has improved throughout the lockdown period
of COVID-19 and this decrease in the levels of pollution was due to measures
taken to restrict the anthropogenic activities and closure of several small- and largescale industries. Yunus et al. [70] reported that the longest freshwater lake of India
(Vembanad lake), the concentration of suspended particulate matter has decreased
by 15.9% on average during this period as compared to pre-lockdown conditions
(Fig. 6.10), this decrease was noticed in 18 out of 20 zones of the lake and also
stated that pollution from industrial wastes and tourism had severely damaged water
quality and lake ecosystem. Water pollution was directly associated with the health
of an individual and the common pollutants present in the water bodies, as industrial
waste had a differential impact on the overall health outcomes of the society and
these effects were mainly harsh on low-income respondents [67]. A sudden fall in
the concentration of dissolved zinc and other heavy metal was observed in the coastal
region of the maritime state of West Bengal during lockdown phase in April [1].
The entire world is showing some positive environmental impact due to COVID19 outbreak; the lagoon of Venice has always got affected by anthropogenic stress but
when the lockdown was enforced in Italy the water jam around Venice stopped leading
to a reduction in suspended matters and hence transparency of water increased. The
high water transparency is because of the combined effects of both COVID-19 restrictions (Fig. 6.11) and natural seasonal factors [6]. Chinese government advised its
water treatment plant to strengthen its disinfection routine to prevent new coronavirus
infection spreading through wastewater [72].