Impact of COVID-19 on Water Quality Index of river Yamuna in Himalayan and upper segment: analysis of monsoon and post-monsoon season

Abstract

Rivers are the lifeline of every living being, be it humans or animals. Clean water is essential for everyone. However, increased urbanization and rapid industrialization have led to rising pollution level in rivers. COVID-19 on the contrary has changed the entire ecosystem. Limited industrial activities, reduced people movement during COVID times has led to improvement in environment, be it atmosphere or hydrosphere. Present work aims to study the impact of COVID-19 on water quality index of river Yamuna as it traverses from Himalayan segment to Upper segment. Five sites are chosen between a stretch of 60+ km, and samples are collected during monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. Physico-chemical parameters (pH, Turbidity, Sulphate, Phosphate, Fluoride, Chloride, Total Hardness, Calcium, Magnesium, Dissolved Oxygen, BOD, COD, Alkalinity), water quality index and Pearson correlation coefficient were calculated for all chosen sites. Since the study was initiated during COVID, initial results show the impact of reduced industrial and urban activities in improving the overall water quality.