Imprints of COVID-19 lockdowns on total petroleum hydrocarbon levels in Asia's largest brackish water lagoon. (January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Acharya, Prasannajit; Muduli, Pradipta R.; Mishra, Deepak R.; Kumar, Abhishek; Kanuri, Vishnu Vardhan; Das, Mira
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 174(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-01
• Subjects: TPHC Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon -- SARS-CoV-2 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; SARS-CoV-2 -- Water quality -- Tropical lagoon -- TPHC -- Nutrients -- Impact assessment; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113137
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: India successfully executed one of the strictest lockdowns in the world during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, which provided unique opportunities to analyze the second-largest populous country's anthropogenic footprint on its natural systems. India's first Ramsar site and the world's second-largest brackish water system Chilika lagoon experienced a substantial decline (64%) in the total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPHC) level in water, which was attributed to the massive declines or, at times, an abrupt complete halt of motorized boat operations for fishing and tourism. Using the TPHC values during the lockdown period, our study recommends a TPHC baseline threshold of 2.02 μg L −1 and 0.91 μg g −1 for Chilika waters and sediment, respectively. These baseline values can be used to quantify oil pollution and to formulate policy and management action plans for Chilika lagoon as well as for other similar ecosystems by local environmental agencies. Graphical abstract: Unlabelled Image Highlights: Pandemic induced lockdowns had a positive impact on the health of the Chilika lagoon. The lagoon experienced the lowest ever total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPHC) levels. A decline in water TPHC (64%) was more significant compared to sediment (~30%). THPC baseline threshold of 2.02 μg L −1 and 0.91 μg g −1 is recommended for the lagoon.