In this investigation, positive impact of COVID-19 lockdown on heavy metals concentration and biological parameters in the groundwater samples of Coimbatore city of South India. The groundwater samples (n = 15) were obtained from shallow-open wells before lockdown (24–25 January 2020) and after lockdown (2–3 June 2020) periods. These samples were analysed for heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Ni, Cr and Pb) and biological parameters (E. coli, Fecal coliforms, Fecal streptococci and Total coliforms). Fe concentration was within the permissible limit but, the concentrations of Mn, Ni, Cr and Pb were above the allowable limits for drinking uses as per the WHO. However, after lockdown the number of samples crossing the cutoff limit had considerably decreased (Mn: 2 to 0; Ni: 13 to 10; Cr: 7 to 5; Pb: 13 to 8). The spatial distribution of heavy metal pollution index (HPI) revealed that 176.75 km2 (67.4%) and 85.35 km2 (32.6 %) areas fell under unsuitable and very poor categories, respectively, during pre-lockdown period, whereas 138.23 km2 (52.6 %), 118.98 km2 (45.3%) and 4.89 km2 (2.1%) areas fell under very poor, poor and good categories, respectively, during post-lockdown period. Similarly, Total coliform, Fecal coliform and E. coli had decreased distinctly due to the pandemic lockdown. Therefore, shutdown of small and large-scale industries during the lockdown period had improved the groundwater quality. Health risk assessment showed that 93%, 87% and 80% of pre-lockdown samples, and 87%, 80% and 73% of post-lockdown samples possessed non-carcinogenic risks (HI > 1) for children, female and male categories, respectively.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.