Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Rivers: A Review

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on several environmental aspects as well as human life. Due to the severity of the pandemic, the whole planet went into absolute lockdown, limiting human mobility in order to stop the corona virus from spreading. As all forms of industrial, commercial, and social activity ceased, environmental conditions such as air quality and water quality, which had been gravely harmed by pollution, greatly improved. Nature was able to cure itself as a result of this. The indicators of environmental improvement might be seen in different elements of nature. The influence of COVID-19 on rivers is highlighted in this review. Rivers are vital to the survival of life on Earth, contributing to agriculture and biodiversity. Despite the world's socio-cultural and economic progress being restricted, the environment's health, particularly water, has greatly improved. During the lockdown, companies near the river's catchment region were shut down, resulting in a dramatic improvement in water quality. Because of the lockdown and travel limitations, anthropogenic activities on the river ecology were kept to a minimum, preventing contamination. The purpose of this review is to discuss the influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on rivers, and the conclusion is that "Although corona virus vaccine is accessible for people, corona virus is itself Earth's vaccine."