The COVID-19 Pandemic Has Improved Water Quality
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all types of industries in numerous countries have shut down to contain the spread of the disease. Prior to the pandemic, human activities and increased industrialization polluted the Earth’s atmosphere with unwanted chemicals.
However, now that work has come to a halt, the Earth’s atmosphere is actually cleansing itself of the unwanted greenhouse gases. Furthermore, as the atmosphere is becoming less polluted, water quality is improving which is resulting in cleaner lakes and rivers for organisms to thrive in.
Pollution in the Yamuna River
Flowing through major industrial cities, such as New Delhi, Agra, Mathura, and more, the Yamuna River absorbed tons of plastic and sewage waste. In fact, New Delhi contributed 58% of its waste into the river leading to a high level of toxic ammonia. The problem persisted due to a lack of sewage systems and the river’s dissolved oxygen had decreased dramatically, making the river basically uninhabitable.
The Indian Government spent around 50 billion dollars to clean the Yamuna River, but those efforts were futile. However, now that COVID-19 has hit, the situation of the river is changing. Despite the negative effects that the pandemic has brought upon people, it is cleansing the Earth and helping to improve the water quality of rivers and lakes.
The pandemic has done what the Indian government could not do in two decades — cleanse the Yamuna River.
The Yamuna River Becomes Clear
As industrial activities have come to a stop, plastic waste and other pollutants are no longer being disposed into the river, improving the quality of it by 33%. The river cleaned itself allowing birds to flock over to the river. The birds found include the Grey Horn, Vultures, Ibis, and more that are feasting on fish that can now be clearly seen swimming in the water.
The river has become clear and oxygen-rich because algae are no longer growing in excess. Prior to the pandemic, waste from industrial activities would bring an overabundance of nitrogen and other pollutants into the river. This would then initiate the excess growth of algae and deprive oxygen of the river.
The Yamuna River is just one example of the many bodies of water that are improving in water quality. Countless other rivers in India, including the Ganges River, are now clear and are habitats for many species.
While the pandemic has provided the Earth with numerous benefits, these may be short-lived. Once the pandemic ends, the world will resume its usual work, opening up factories and other work areas that are detrimental to the atmosphere and bodies of water.
So, it is crucial that governments figure out a plan to reduce water pollution from industrial activities to keep the water quality high. The pandemic should be a learning experience for everyone.
Sources
8, Marco Tedesco |June, and Marco Tedesco. “Coronavirus Is Improving Water Quality — For Now, At Least.” State of the Planet, 5 June 2020, blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2020/06/08/coronavirus-improving-water-quality/.
By the Yamuna. 19 June 2015, indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/by-the-yamuna/.
Ghosh, Iman. “The Emissions Impact of Coronavirus Lockdowns, As Shown by Satellites.” Visual Capitalist, 22 Mar. 2020, www.visualcapitalist.com/coronavirus-lockdowns-emissions/.
Shukla, Ravish Ranjan, and Nandini Gupta. “How River Yamuna Cleaned Itself In 60 Days Of Coronavirus Lockdown.” NDTV.com, 25 May 2020, www.ndtv.com/india-news/coronavirus-lockdown-yamuna-cleanest-in-30-years-as-industrial-dumping-halts-2234790.
“Yamuna River Cleans Itself In 60 Days Of Lockdown.” XPLORING INDIA, 26 May 2020, xploringindia.in/river-yamuna-did-to-itself-in-60-days-what-governments-couldnt-in-25-years/.
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Edited by: Aanya Khan, Director of Research Bloggers
