The effect of COVID-19 lockdown on water quality and sediment release in Sebou River (Morocco)

The global spread of COVID-19 has dramatically impacted industrial activity, road transport, and the tourism sector in a relatively short period. During this critical time, the limited interaction between humans and nature was considered the main reason for the environment recovery, in addition to the multiple positive effects of covid-19 on society, including economics and the possible ways in which the pandemic can be controlled. However, the implementation of the lockdown could lead to an improvement in surface water and sediment quality. The main goal of the present study is to determine the levels of physicochemical parameters and heavy metals concentrations in Sebou River sediments and water samples before and during the lockdown period. Heavy metal concentrations in sediments and watersheds showed significant differences before and after the confinement period. The reduction in industrial activity during the lockdown period has contributed to decrease the amount of wastewater, resulting in a significant improvement in sediment and water quality. Due to the Covid-19 lockdown, the resources are only being used in little amounts. People have come to recognize that they need very little to live, yet they were wasting resources to maintain their social status. The global shutdown is enabling the world to repair and revitalize itself against manmade activity, thus, is crucial to reducing its effects on public health, the environment, society, and the economy as a whole.