RESUMO
Introduction: The basic requirements for human survival include air, food, and water; a decrease in quality of which has a deep impact on health. An increase in population with increasing globalization, industrialization, and increased energy demand has led to increased air pollution in cities world over. Multiple national programs to improve air quality have been unsuccessful. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic-led lockdown is a large-scale experiment that is unprecedented and could not have been done at regular times. Indirect effects include cutting down emissions from industries, vehicles, and diesel generators. Materials and methods: In this ambispective observational study, we compared the air quality index (AQI) and levels of other pollutants in the two cities of Delhi and Kanpur during the period of the lockdown, the same period during the preceding year, and during the rainy season. Results: It was observed that the cities of India with notoriously polluted air, i.e., Delhi and Kanpur, had unprecedented improvement in air quality during lockdown (Delhi, AQI: 86.91 � 32.38 vs 249.36 � 60.25 and Kanpur, AQI: 81.60 � 38.54 vs 137.06 � 46.74). The improvement was even better than the preceding year's monsoon for Delhi. The AQI was comparable in both cities during the lockdown. Conclusion: The AQI was falling in the 搒atisfactory� range in both Delhi and Kanpur during the lockdown. This may, in turn, favorably unfold a reduction in the incidence, progression, and exacerbation of respiratory illnesses. This is an eye-opening change and calls for urgent action to maintain the same. Timely and well-framed steps should be sought; a revolutionary carbon-free and green energy economic model is much needed. Most air pollution is preventable and can be managed by humans if a stringent action plan is rolled out and implemented sternly by government agencies.
RESUMO
Aim: The objective of the present study was to assess the impact of conjunctive use of wool waste, farm yard manure and chemical fertilizer on soil properties of Aridisol of Bikaner, Rajasthan, India. Methodology: After harvest of cabbage crop, soil samples were collected from the respective experimental plot of crop field by adopting the standard procedure. Bulk density, particle density, pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, available N, P, K, S, Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, microbial count and dehydrogenase activity were estimated following the standard protocol. Results: Application of wool waste @ 7.5 t ha-1 along with FYM @ 7.5 t ha-1 (W1) significantly increased organic carbon and plant available nutrients (N, P, K, S, Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe) over control and rest of the treatment. but W1 and W2 (Wool waste @ 5 t ha-1 along with FYM @ 10 t ha-1) treatment was found at par with respect to nitrogen. Treatment W1 also gave significant performance of microbial count and dehydrogenase activity during experimental season over rest of the treatment. Application of each increasing level of recommended dose of fertilizer significantly enhanced all chemical and biological properties of soil. Application of wool waste @7.5 t ha-1 along with FYM @7.5 t ha-1 increased available macronutrients and micronutrients over control. Interpretation: It can be concluded that conjunctive use of wool waste, farm yard manure and inorganic fertilizer proved better nutrient management option for improving soil properties.