ABSTRACT
In this study, to determine the effect of the lockdown applied in Samsun, Turkey, between 1 March to 31 May due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the concentration of air pollutants parameters (PM10, SO2, NO2 and O-3) were measured at the same time interval of before lockdown and during the lockdown were compared. In addition, the relationship between the concentration of air pollutants and meteorological parameters such as wind speed, temperature, relative humidity, dew point and pressure was analysed statistically. The lockdown caused the most significant reduction in the concentration of NO2, followed by SO2, O-3 and PM10. Unlike SO2 and NO2, PM10 was less affected by lockdown since it also has natural sources. Between the meteorological parameters interested, wind speed and temperature showed a strong correlation with the air pollutants due to their transportation and conversion effects, while relative humidity, dew point and pressure showed a very weak correlation.
ABSTRACT
During the COVID-19 pandemic period, measures taken to control the spread of the virus worldwide;caused a decrease in social, economic and commercial activities. This situation inevitably affected the environmental components directly or indirectly. With the implementation of COVID-19 restrictions, it has been observed that air quality has improved significantly, greenhouse gas emissions have decreased, water pollution and noise levels have slowdown, surface and ground water quality has enhanced and traffic density has reduced in different cities of the world. However, despite these positive effects on the environment, the new corona virus epidemic also caused negative effects such as low indoor air quality, increased use of disposable plastics and medical waste such as masks and gloves, and decreased amount of recycling waste. In this study, it is aimed to reveal the positive and negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on environment by reviewing the scientific literatures.