Air quality assessment among populous sites of major metropolitan cities in India during COVID-19 pandemic confinement

• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-11061-y
• Publication Date: 2020-10-10T23:04:17Z
• Authors: Gaurav Pant; Alka; Deviram Garlapati; Ashish Gaur; Kaizar Hossain; Shoor Vir Singh; Ashish Kumar Gupta
• Keywords: Pandemic

The present study aims to determine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic confinement on air quality among populous sites four major metropolitan cities in India (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai) from January 1, 2020 May 31, by analyzing particulate matter (PM2.5 PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ammonia (NH3), sulfur (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone levels. most prominent pollutant concerning index (AQI) was determined Pearson's correlation analysis unpaired Welch's two-sample t test carried out measure statistically significant reduction average AQI for all sites. significantly plummeted 44%, 59%, 6% ITO-Delhi, Worli-Mumbai, Jadavpur-Kolkata, Manali Village-Chennai respectively. findings conclude a improvement with respect 49–73%, 17–63%, 30–74%, 15–58% mean concentration PM2.5, PM10, NH3, SO2 respectively during studied locations. p values locations were found less than 5% level significance analysis. In addition, reduced highly correlated pollutants PM10) These positive results due imprisonment might aid alter current policies strategies pollution control safe sustainable environment.