Abstract
The urban environment is at substantial risk due to the pace of urbanization. There are two major components of the urban environment viz. urban heating and urban pollution. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated lockdown provided a stability to the deteriorating environment and all associated parameters. The study focuses on understanding the changes in the surface urban heat island (SUHI) and atmospheric/near-surface urban pollution island phenomenon (AUPI/NSUPI) as a result of lockdown in 2020 and 2021 w.r.t. averaged values of 2017–19, through parameters like LST, AOD, NO2 and PM2.5 for the Delhi region (Delhi urban area or DUA and non-urban area surrounding DUA) using in situ and remote sensing satellite measurements. A remarkable reduction in mean daytime/nighttime LST (1.99 °C/1.80 °C) using MODIS datasets and 5.46 °C using Landsat datasets was observed in LD-1 of 2020. SUHII values were 0.35 °C higher in 2020 as compared to 2017–19 due to thriving vegetation. Similarly, annual NO2/PM2.5 reduced by 61.39%/11.78% and satellite-based NO2/AOD reduced by 28.87%/9% in 2020 compared to 2017–19. A yearly reduction of ~ 41%, ~ 6%, ~ 10% and ~ 39% was observed in NSUPII (NO2), NSUPII (PM2.5), AUPII (AOD) and AUPII (NO2), respectively. The environmental regime of the urban purlieu was revitalized, and the ecological sensitiveness was restored by vegetation growth and reduced anthropogenic activities; however, the scenario was quickly restored in 2021 showing increased pollution levels.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to extend their gratitude to the dataset providers European Space Agency (ESA) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for requisite datasets. The authors would also like to thank various in situ measurement agencies in Delhi Urban Area Delhi viz. Pollution Control Committee, Indian Meteorological Department, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Central Pollution Control Board and state pollution control boards of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh (https://app.cpcbccr.com/ccr/#/caaqm-dashboard-all/caaqm-landing/data). Data sets generated during the current study are available on request.
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Dr. AS conceived the idea of the work. The data were collected, processed and analyzed by Dr. AS and SH. The manuscript was prepared by Dr. AS, and corrections/modifications were done by both the authors. Both the authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Siddiqui, A., Halder, S. & Devadas, V. Spatio-Temporal Variations and Effect of COVID-19 Led Lockdown on Urban Heat Island (UHI) and Urban Pollution Island (UPI) Over Delhi Region During 2017–2021. J Indian Soc Remote Sens 52, 413–433 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12524-024-01807-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12524-024-01807-3